Isle of Wight singer-songwriter Ben Stubbs is back, with sound advice for any males afraid to express their anxieties. New single We Are Men is a charity release, timed to tie in with World Music Therapy Day.

Release Date: 28th February 2025

Label: Self Released

Formats: Digital

MUSIC THERAPY

We first came across Isle of Wight singer-songwriter Ben Stubbs back in September 2023 when we enjoyed his Neil Young and James Taylor-infused debut album, Light Of My Life. It’s been a while, but he’s back. This time, he’s got an important and serious message for all the inhibited and troubled males amongst us.

The release of Ben’s new single, We Are Men, is timed to tie in with World Music Therapy Day on 1st March. Music Therapy uses music to reduce stress and improve mood and self-expression through listening, singing, playing instruments or composing music. It’s a therapy that, I guess, most readers of these pages indulge in without even thinking, and we all know that it works.

IT’S OK TO NOT BE OK

The song’s pivotal message is “It’s OK to not be OK.” A message that Ben reiterates persistently throughout the song. As he says: “Very few people walk through life having never experienced the crushing weight of poor mental health. Whether in our own personal struggles or the struggles of those we care dearly for, poor mental health will affect most of us. Too often, the ignominy surrounding men’s mental health ends in tragedy. A story all to familiar for far too many of us. We must work together to break the stigma, normalise sharing the load, support each other and save countless lives as a result.” I’m sure that we can all pick out elements from that message that resonate.

We Are Men was recorded in late 2024 at Empire Sound in Newport, the Isle of Wight’s capital by the Homes brothers, Rob and Jim. Alongside Ben, the studio band features multi instrumentalist Tommy Burnhams, Steve Hodge on keyboards and synth and Rupert Brown on drums. Together, they’ve produced a clean sound, with due precedence given to Ben’s vocals and his articulate, well-considered lyrics: “It’s OK not to be OK, there’s no shame in suffering in silence from today – just think how many lives we could save.” There’s an unmistakable sincerity in his voice and the song’s long coda is something that all we overly-proud males should commit to memory.

GET YOUR COPY AND MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION

Proceeds from the sales of We Are Men will go to the Isle of Wight mental health charity, Men Only IOW. You can buy your copy – and make your donation – via this link to Ben’s Bandcamp ‘name your price’ page.

Watch the official video to Stop The World – the opening track to Ben’s 2023 Light of My Life album – here:

Ben Stubbs online: Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Bandcamp

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