Track-by-Track: Ben Reel Runs Down His Album ‘Spirit’s Not Broken’

In these awkward, wayward times that we live in, we need the steady hand of artists like Ben Reel more than ever. The singer-songwriter released his latest album Spirit’s Not Broken last month through the Dutch record label Mars Music Group. Reel’s twelfth studio record, Reel, deals head-on with the perilous circumstances we find ourselves in, maintaining a positive approach throughout. It seems like every day, the world becomes more engrossed with conflict, anxiety, and suffering. It’s easy to feel lost and disregarded within these circumstances. But Reel’s intention with Spirit’s Not Broken is to focus on the good things. He is out to emphasize the power of love and human connection. Ultimately, it is what will carry us forward as our anchor and our safe space.

As a set of songs and a larger piece of music, Reel has used Spirit’s Not Broken as an opportunity to invest himself in his favourite musical influences. The record begins with some traditional rock n’ roll energy before transitioning into some soulful R&B grooves. Reel wanted this album to feel very human and easily accessible. He also wanted it to feel uplifting as a contrast to much of our current collective reality. Over more than 25 years, Reel has established himself as one of the world’s most thoughtful and original singer-songwriters. With Spirit’s Not Broken, he has added another timeless chapter to a discography of rich, musical sincerity.

In light of the recent release of the album, Ben Reel joins us for a Track-by-Track rundown of Spirit’s Not Broken, contextualizing and providing the inside story on these impressive new songs.

Side A:

1. “Better Be Better”

“With a modern take on a ’60s-inspired sound, the focus track ‘Better Be Better’ delivers pounding drums, big guitars, and raw emotion. The song tells the story of a rocky relationship. The girl saying, ‘It better be better than the year before, or I’m walking out that door.’ The man is fuelled by desperation and a heartfelt plea for forgiveness. Exploding with intensity, it channels timeless influences, including a clear nod to The Beatles.”

2. “Come What June”

“‘Come What June’ is a reflection on life, a moment to take stock and remind yourself of what really matters. It’s about stepping back, looking at where you’ve been, and recognizing the things that hold true through all the ups and downs.”

Ben Reel ‘Spirits Not Broken’ album artwork

3. “Bring it Back to Life”

“‘Bring It Back to Life’ is a soulful, uplifting anthem, with a Beatles-meets-Billy Preston vibe. This uplifting track was born from the Get Back documentary and written to inspire in tough times. It’s a powerful reminder to keep going, believe in yourself, and never give up. Listen now and feel the lift! The track features the legendary John McCullough, Van Morrison’s Hammond organ and piano player, whose keys bring that rich Billy Preston-style vibe to the song.”

4. “Laid Out in Front of You”

“‘Laid Out in Front of You’ has a ’60s‑style feel and looks at the idea that maybe our lives are already mapped out. It touches on the thought that we might be living in some kind of simulation, or repeating a life we’ve lived before, that strange déjà vu feeling that things are happening exactly as they were meant to. It’s a simple reflection on fate, repetition, and how much control we really have.”

5. “Candlelight”

“‘Candlelight’ is a slow‑burning love song, written as an ode to my wife. It carries a quiet warmth, the kind that glows rather than shouts, unfolding gently like a flame in the dark. The track celebrates devotion in its purest form, capturing the steady, enduring light that love can cast across a life.”

Side B:

6. “I Will”

“‘I Will’ has got that ’70s soul vibe reminiscent of Marvin Gaye with four-on-the-floor disco drums and a Motown-like moving bass line. It’s a love song written about when I met my wife (and backing vocalist) Julieanne for the first time. It tells the story as if there were powers above directing, as if it were all planned like destiny awaiting.”

Ben Reel

7. “Down by the Stream”

“‘Down by the Stream’ is a love song with a warm, soulful undercurrent, carrying a subtle nod to the spirit of Van Morrison. There’s an easy, flowing groove at its heart — the kind of band feel that moves like water, unhurried but full of life. The track blends tenderness with a deep rhythmic pulse, creating a space where romance, reflection, and soul all meet in one smooth, timeless moment.”

8. “The Joker”

“‘The Joker’ was inspired by my late, great friend Rainbow George, who often spoke of God as ‘the ultimate Joker.’ He had a way of seeing the world through a mystical lens, and he believed that the opening lines of Genesis hinted at not one but three divine figures — The Lord, The Lord God, and The God Most High. That idea sparked the central question of the song: Who is the real guy?

“Rainbow George was more than a friend; he was a kind of guru, a spiritual provocateur who pushed me to think beyond the obvious. His influence gives the song its otherworldly tone, its sense of wonder, and its willingness to wrestle with the biggest questions of existence. It’s a tribute to his spirit and to the mysteries he loved to explore.”

9. “Love and Only Love”

“‘Love and Only Love’ was written at the dawn of the COVID pandemic, yet its message feels just as urgent today. The song draws inspiration from one of the most powerful teachings ever spoken – the Sermon on the Mount – and carries its timeless call to love one another. In a world still wrestling with division and uncertainty, it reminds us of a simple truth: when everything else falls away, love is the one thing we can hold onto. It’s what endures, what heals, and what ultimately defines us.”

10. “Spirit’s Not Broken”

“In a world shaken by conflict, uncertainty, and the rapid rise of a new AI‑driven era, ‘Spirit’s Not Broken’ stands at the heart of the album as a declaration of resilience. It’s a call to awaken and protect the human spirit, to hold fast to what makes us who we are. The song carries a simple but urgent truth: good must triumph over the forces that divide and diminish us. Our future depends on the strength we choose to nurture, individually and collectively.”