Ben Reel kicked off 2026 with his twelfth studio album, Spirit's Not Broken—a record shaped by turbulent times and driven by themes of hope and resilience. The album moves from raw rock energy into soulful, R&B-tinged grooves, drawing on echoes of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Van Morrison, and Sting, while staying true to Ben's own unmistakable voice.
Since his 1999 debut This Is the Movie, Ben has forged a distinctive path through rock, folk, soul, and Americana. Critics have compared him to John Hiatt and Roy Orbison, even calling him "the Irish Springsteen," yet his sound remains uniquely his own.
Across three decades, he has released a string of acclaimed albums, including The Nashville Calling (2020), produced by Will Kimbrough and featuring E Street Band bassist Garry W. Tallent, which reached No. 1 on the Euro Americana Chart.
A seasoned performer with a great band, Ben has toured internationally and shared stages with the likes of Jools Holland, The Cranberries, Nanci Griffith, and Hal Ketchum.
From Nashville's Bluebird Café to major European festivals, he continues to earn a reputation as a powerful and committed live artist.
With Spirit's Not Broken, Ben Reel delivers a timely, soulful call to endurance—further cementing his place as one of Ireland's most enduring and evolving songwriters.