“I Will” carries a ’70s soul vibe reminiscent of Marvin Gaye, with four-on-the-floor disco drums and a Motown-inspired moving bass line. The song tells its story as if guided by higher powers, as though everything were preordained, destiny awaiting.
Irish troubadour Ben Reel returns with his twelfth studio album, ‘Spirit’s Not Broken.’ In a world marked by war, division, and uncertainty, the record carries a timeless message: hope, resilience, and above all, love. “It’s easy to feel powerless,” Ben says, “but this album is a reminder of a simple truth: ‘Love one another.”
Musically, the album opens with raw rock energy before flowing into soulful, R&B-infused grooves, echoing the spirit of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Van Morrison, and Sting. It’s a journey that blends grit with grace, reinforcing Ben’s reputation as one of Ireland’s most versatile and enduring songwriters.
Since launching his solo career in 1999 with This Is the Movie, Ben has carved a distinctive path through rock, folk, soul, and Americana. Critics have compared him to John Hiatt, Roy Orbison, and even dubbed him “the Irish Springsteen,” yet his sound remains unmistakably his own.
Across a career spanning more than 35 years, Ben has released a string of acclaimed albums, including The Nashville Calling (2020), recorded with Will Kimbrough and featuring E Street Band’s Garry W. Tallent, which topped the Euro Americana Chart. His most recent records, Locked in & Live (2022) and Come a Long Way (2023), cemented his reputation as a fearless and ever-evolving artist.
Ben has performed on BBC, RTÉ, and Dutch NPO Radio, toured internationally, and shared stages with artists such as Jools Holland, The Cranberries, Nanci Griffith, and Eric Andersen. From Nashville’s Bluebird Café to European festivals, his reputation as a committed live performer continues to grow.
With Spirit’s Not Broken, Ben Reel delivers not just an album, but a soulful call to resilience in challenging times.
Spirit’s Not Broken will be released worldwide on January 23, 2026 by Dutch record label – Mars Label Group