The charity War Child have revealed their 2025 edition of Secret 7”, which will feature unique renditions from the likes of The Cure, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and more.
The Secret 7” initiative first launched in 2012, with the goal of amalgamating the interests of vinyl collectors and art enthusiasts by merging both artforms. Each year, seven different artists will release a different track which will each feature on 100 different 7” vinyl pressings. The 700 vinyls are all unique, as each sleeve is designed by a different creative, whether that be a renowned artist or a newcomer. Each version will only be available to purchase via auction, where the artist’s identity will be revealed after each record is sold.
Last year tracks from ‘War Child Present Secret 7”’ featured many legendary musicians: from Celeste’s ‘Stop This Flame’ to Paul McCartney’s ‘Pipes of Peace’ it was an unforgettable year for the initiative, as Aurora, Hozier, Siouxsie & The Banshees, The Chemical Brothers and The Specials all joined forces to raise money for the charity.
War Child presents #Secret7 is back!
This year you can design artwork for unique vinyl releases from @thecure, @frankturner, @GregoryPorter, @JessieWare, @keaneofficial, @scissorsisters and @SophieEB
Listen to the 2025 tracks and submit your design: https://t.co/OybXHXQrU5 pic.twitter.com/tO5NEu5v2H
— Secret 7” (@Secret7s) January 13, 2025
This year joining The Cure and Sophie Ellis-Bextor are Frank Turner, Gregory Porter, Jessie Ware, Keane and Scissor Sisters.
The forthcoming Secret 7” will include:
The Cure – ‘Warsong: Troxy Live 2024’
Frank Turner – ‘Be More Kind’
Gregory Porter – ‘Merchant of Paradise’
Jessie Ware – ‘Beautiful People’
Keane – ‘Black Rain’
Scissor Sisters – ‘Return to Oz’
Sophie Ellis-Bextor – ‘Devotion’ (Brand new exclusive track for War Child’s Secret 7”)
The unveiling of this year’s musical contributions for Secret 7” marks the opening of public submissions for each track’s artwork. All creatives are invited to submit their digital submissions between January 13 and February 28, here. Last year saw submissions from Stanley Donwood (renowned for creating cover art for Radiohead’s LPs), fashion designer Paul Smith, Gorillaz visual creative Jamie Hewlett and more.
Charlotte Nimmo, the Fundraising Engagement Director at War Child UK revealed motivations from this year’s Secret 7”: “This year has been horrendous for children caught up in conflict, but the money raised here will help us provide immediate emergency aid, and specialist long term support where it’s needed most”.
Continuing: “We pride ourselves on working with the best in music and creative arts to create something brilliant that ultimately changes the lives of some of the most vulnerable children around the world, and we can’t wait for everyone to see and hear, what has been created this year for Secret 7”. We are so grateful to the artists, both musical and visual, for supporting our work, and everyone that donates to help us do what we do”.
Secret 7″ brings together 7 iconic tracks from 7 of the world’s top musicians, each pressed just 100 times onto 7” vinyl.
Creatives everywhere are invited to reinterpret these tracks, producing 700 one-of-a-kind sleeve designs.
Find out more: https://t.co/JmnBcyvBHn pic.twitter.com/UXEh9gSkAQ
— Secret 7” (@Secret7s) January 13, 2025
This year’s Secret 7” edition reveals the music industry and War Child’s ongoing collaboration to raise funds for children in war stricken locations. Just recently Kate Bush released the anti-war animation ‘Little Shrew’ (which features her track ‘Snowflake’) to raise money for the charity, while The Lumineers are set to play an intimate gig at London’s Hoxton Hall on January 17 in partnership with War Child. The presence of music and art has been fundamental for War Child to bring their ethos and charitable initiatives into mainstream consciousness.
