Free Download: Ben Jelen "Vulnerable" (Acoustic Version)

Ben Jelen channels his innermost Elton John on his new single "Vulnerable." The track is taken from his sophomore album "Ex-Sensitive" that is out in stores today. The disc is released on Custard Records, which is run by powerhouse producer Linda Perry who also served as the producer for Jelen's new album.

Jelen made a name for himself as the next teenage heartthrob back in 2004 with "Come On" that turned him into an instant star on MTV's Total Request Live. Since then, Jelen has changed his tune quite a bit. After his initial success, the singer/songwriter needed a break and time to re-discover himself. He traveled to India, the U.K., and even the American South, where he holed up in the isolated home of Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools. He pulled his disappearing act in hopes of catching up with all the changes in his life since his first album release. 

"The first week, I found myself in a daze,” says Jelen in a press statement. "I hadn’t had much time to myself and now I was alone in the woods. I listened to Sigur Ros in the evenings, Jet in the mornings, Pink Floyd during the day. I delved deeper than I ever had into the Beatles catalogue. Abbey Road on vinyl never sounded so amazing to me.”

Linda Perry proved to be instrumental for Jelen to redefine his sound. "Working with Linda confirmed that my sound was a more vintage one,” he says. "Not a single sample or pre-recorded sound was used, everything was organic. I found myself drawing more from the 60s and 70s than anything else."

"Vulnerable" is a compelling, intensely personal ballad about Jelen's struggle with addiction. He voices his fear that the pressures mounting around him will find him "with a life overrun."  The track features Linda Perry on slide guitar. It was co-written with ex-Calvin Klein exec Joseph Janus who discovered Jelen. (Thanks to Custard for allowing me to post this MP3.)

Download Ben Jelen "Vulnerable" [MP3]