Ben Poole’s return with Post-Midnight Behaviour makes an eight-year wait feel worth it from the very first bars. He’s spoken of his live albums in recent years as quick, a time stamp on wherever he happened to be. This one is different. He took his time over it so it would be fully realised in every aspect, and the result, in his own words, was “well worth the wait.”
The writing team ran deep. Oli Brown co-produced alongside Poole and Wayne Proctor, and the three of them, with bassist Steve Amadeo, co-wrote every song. Brown also contributes backing vocals and Moog throughout, with Bennett Holland adding Hammond, piano, Wurlitzer and Rhodes. It was recorded at House of Tone Mix Suite and Superfly Studios in Nottinghamshire.
No Second Chances
The album starts as it means to go on. Strong guitar, drums perfectly balanced against it, building into a chorus that earns it, and a genuinely good solo that tells you what’s in store. A great opener that sets the tone for a record which never feels like it’s trying too hard, the sound of a guitarist with nothing left to prove.
Empty
A heavy bass line opens it before Poole’s guitar lifts in with real melody, doing exactly what it says on the tin. It transports you. His voice sits captivating against it, balanced even as the arrangement thickens, closing on a touch of distortion that earns its place. One of the first songs written for the album, and one Poole rates among the strongest he’s ever put his name to. You can feel that in the solo, where he isn’t just playing; he’s losing himself in it, right in step with the words.
Time Has No Mercy
Bass and drums open it before the guitar lifts it into something you can’t help moving to. The chorus has a genuine hook, and the solo is perfectly balanced within the track, no guitar hero moment bolted on. Poole could clearly have gone further. That he doesn’t is the point. The team had spent weeks writing darker, heavier material, and this track was a deliberate change of pace, written to be lighter and more upbeat as a reaction against that. The whole song grew from a single riff that started life as the outro, built on down-strummed power chords closer to punk rock than Poole’s usual style.
Living On Repeat (Buried In The Background)
A nice bit of funk to open before it turns grungy, the solo stepping forward, right in your face, only for Poole to pull it straight back the moment he starts singing again. That control runs right through the track, his voice carrying it to the end before the distortion closes it out.
Summer Haze
This one puts you on a porch on the West Coast, bourbon in hand, watching the sun go down, well composed and unhurried in exactly the way its picture demands. Just as easily, you can picture it in an arena, a crowd with lighters held high. Good, solid music.
Runaway Souls – featuring Elles Bailey
Both versions are gritty and beautifully produced, Bailey and Poole complementing each other throughout. The grit comes from Poole’s guitar tone rather than Bailey roughening things up, her voice riding on top of it instead. A definitive road song, the kind that wouldn’t feel out of place soundtracking Sons of Anarchy, and it has the feel of a genuine hit.
Searching
A more mellow song, well composed and produced, in keeping with a record that’s well produced throughout. The guitar solo comes into the track without ever going over the top for a song of this style, pulling you in before mellowing back again. It finishes with Poole on guitar.
Nothing To You
Another funk vibe runs through this one, and you can imagine Poole having fun recording it. Put together well, just as every song on this record has been. It feels at first like it’s heading towards a ballad, before changing gear entirely as Poole comes in with a heavy guitar riff that shifts the whole mood.
Start Of The End
A strong, well-composed track with an outstanding mix and a tone that’s crisp and fresh throughout. The guitar solo has a distinctive feel, not a copy of anything, but there’s a vibe running through it that brings Pink Floyd to mind, that same sense of space and atmosphere over notes for their own sake.
Runaway Souls – featuring Elles Bailey (Radio Version)
Closes the album on the same strength as its first appearance.
Closing
Post-Midnight Behaviour does more than reward a listen. It makes you want to see Ben Poole live, and with the sheer volume of shows behind him, this is a set that should translate straight to the stage. Expect a night of dancing, and to walk out still singing or humming the songs on the way home. Personally, I feel Poole has got a definitive album here. After all the years honing his skills on the road, this could well be his defining moment, and I cannot wait to see what he does with it on tour.
As a musician myself, I’m looking forward to seeing how this album translates to a live performance. Playing it live will be the real test. From what I’ve heard on the record, I personally think Ben has got a hit.
Roxianna Blue is a professional singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, bringing a musician’s ear to every review.
Ben Poole’s new album, Post-Midnight Behaviour, is released by Gypsy Soul Records on 25 September. He tours the UK from 31 October to 21 November. The album and tickets are available from www.benpooleband.com
Review by Roxianna Blue
“POST-MIDNIGHT BEHAVIOUR”
NEW ALBUM RELEASED FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
PRE-ORDER CD & VINYL | PRE-SAVE DIGITAL
Full Tracklist
- No Second Chances (5:42)
- Empty (5:57)
- Time Has No Mercy (3:36)
- Living On Repeat (Buried In The Background) (4:13)
- Summer Haze (4:40)
- Runaway Souls – featuring Elles Bailey (4:22)
- Searching (5:30)
- Nothing To You (3:50)
- Start Of The End (5:26)
- Runaway Souls – featuring Elles Bailey (Radio Version) (4:12)
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by Wayne Proctor, Oli Brown and Ben Poole
Recorded at House of Tone Mix Suite & Superfly Studios, Nottinghamshire, UK
Mixed and mastered by Wayne Proctor at House of Tone Mix Suite, UK
“Runaway Souls” (Radio Version) mixed & edited by Ross Hayes-Citrullo at RHC Music, Toronto, Canada
All songs co-written by Ben Poole, Oli Brown, Wayne Proctor, and Steve Amadeo
MUSICIANS
Ben Poole – Guitars, Vocals
Wayne Proctor – Drums
Oli Brown – Backing Vocals, Moog
Steve Amadeo – Bass
Bennett Holland – Hammond Organ, Piano, Wurlitzer, Rhodes
Elles Bailey – Guest vocals on “Runaway Souls”
Biography
Ben Poole is an internationally acclaimed force in blues rock. Recognised by multiple publications as one of the world’s leading blues guitarists, Guitar World has cited him alongside artists including Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, and Joe Bonamassa.
Total Guitar and Music Radar have also named him among the world’s top 15 blues guitarists.
Ben has appeared on the covers of numerous magazines and earned praise from guitar greats including Jeff Beck, Gary Moore, Richie Kotzen, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Philip Sayce. He is widely regarded as one of the standout artists on the international blues-rock circuit.
BEN POOLE
2026 UK TOUR
TICKETS AVAILBLE FROM
Kinross, The Green Hotel
Saturday October 31
Tickets
Glasgow, Nice ‘N’ Sleazys
Sunday November 1
Tickets
Newcastle, The Cluny
Monday November 2
Tickets
Coulsdon, The Tuesday Night Music Club
Tuesday November 3
Tickets
Oxford, The Bullingdon
Wednesday, November 4
Tickets
Frome, Tree House
Thursday November 5
Tickets
Swansea, Sin City
Friday November 6
Tickets
Winchester, The Railway Inn
Saturday November 7
Tickets
Brighton, Komedia
Sunday November 8
Tickets
Tunbridge Wells, The Forum
Wednesday November 11
Tickets
London, Half Moon Putney
Thursday November 12
Tickets
Luton, Bear Club
Friday November 13
Tickets
Barnoldswick, Music and Arts Centre
Sunday November 15
Tickets
Leicester, The International
Tuesday November 17
Tickets
Camberley, Login Lounge
Wednesday November 18
Tickets
Chester, The Live Rooms
Thursday November 19
Tickets
Dudley, Lamp Tavern Live
Friday November 20
Tickets
Leamington Spa, Temperance
Saturday November 21
Tickets
ABOUT BEN POOLE
Ben Poole is an internationally acclaimed force in blues rock. Recognised by multiple publications as one of the world’s leading blues guitarists, he has been cited by Guitar World alongside artists including Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray and Joe Bonamassa.
Total Guitar and Music Radar have also named him among the world’s top 15 blues guitarists.
Ben has appeared on the covers of numerous magazines and earned praise from guitar greats including Jeff Beck, Gary Moore, Richie Kotzen, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Philip Sayce. He is widely regarded as one of the standout artists on the international blues-rock circuit.
BEN POOLE
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