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BEN POOLE UNVEILS NEW SINGLE “EMPTY” FROM “POST-MIDNIGHT BEHAVIOUR,” HIS FIRST STUDIO ALBUM OF NEW MATERIAL IN EIGHT YEARS “EMPTY” RELEASED FRIDAY JULY 31, 2026 NEW ALBUM “POST-MIDNIGHT BEHAVIOUR” Rock ‘N’ Load’s Thoughts: Guitarist/vocalist Ben Poole releases his second single, Empty’ from his extraordinary new album Post-Midnight Behaviour; it follows on from the exceptional first single ‘No Second Chances’. It is emotional, pure and compelling; the feeling he provides from his chosen instrument is wondrous. ‘Empty’ sounds modern and if there is any justice it should secure him a big hit. Lyrically, it captures the mood of subdued reflective restraint; his guitar solo is full of bewildering Blues brilliance as it rides on musical waves that are pure class. I cannot emphasise enough the talent that Poole has in his fingertips and voice, this is majestic, the album is outstanding, it may be his first studio outing for eight years, but that time has not been wasted it is a gem! Give it a listen, and I guarantee it will not leave you ‘Empty’. Ben Poole demonstrates throughout that he is one of the world’s leading blues guitarists; he is up there with Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Robert Cray and Joe Bonamassa. Paul Mace Celebrated British guitar phenom, Ben Poole, is pleased to announce the release of his new single “Empty” released on Friday July 31st via Gypsy Soul Records. The single is available on all streaming platforms HERE. Watch the official “Empty” lyric music video on YouTube HERE. “Empty” is the second single taken from Poole’s forthcoming album Post-Midnight Behaviour – his first studio album of brand-new material in eight years, following 2018’s critically acclaimed Anytime You Need Me. Rooted in blues rock, the new album also sees Poole explore new musical territory. Released Friday September 25, 2026, the new album is available to pre-order on CD and vinyl HERE and to pre-save digitally HERE. “Empty was one of the first songs we wrote for this new album and really helped shape the direction we took going forward with the songs from that point,” says Poole. “I wanted there to be a mix of darkness and light throughout as I’ve always valued dynamics both emotionally and musically in music.” “I honestly feel this is one of the strongest songs I’ve ever written. We poured so much time, care, and energy into every detail, musically and lyrically, and I can’t wait for people to hear it. I really hope listeners feel the passion behind it and connect with it on a much deeper emotional level.” Poole also reflects on the writing and recording process of the emotionally compelling new single, “Empty.” “I’ve always loved that rush you get when a song lifts from minor to major, and it was exciting to really push that idea in ‘Empty.’ The verses sit in this solemn, emotionally heavy E minor sequence before everything opens with a dramatic dynamic and musical shift as that huge E major chord kicks off the chorus.” “I employed a similar approach on an older song of mine, ‘Hanging in the Balance,’ but this time I wanted to make the lift even more powerful by landing the first note of the vocal melody on a major third. It’s also a thrill to play with that contrast in the guitar solo, and I already know this is going to be one of my favourite moments to perform live on the upcoming album release tour.” “I used my Gibson Les Paul on most of the rhythm guitars and in the guitar solo. I really love the dynamics you can get with a Les Paul when switching between fingerstyle and with a plectrum. It can be smooth to aggressive depending on the approach and the technique. We used a Volt amplifier on this one, and a key pedal in the solo sound was my Fuzzrite by Mosrite which is an incredible vintage Fuzz pedal from the 1960s.” Venturing into broader musical landscapes, Ben embraces a more laid-back sound shaped by subtle rock grooves and hooks that flare like shooting stars. Expressive without excess and memorable without distraction, it leaves a deep impression without ever overwhelming the listener. In short, it is the perfect soundtrack for Post-Midnight Behaviour. “I wanted this album to showcase my evolution as guitarist and singer songwriter,” says Ben.“For several years, I have performed over 150 shows a year across more than 20 countries. My guitar style and technique have developed, my singing voice has matured, and my influences have varied. The new album is a journey that combines Blues, Rock, Soul, Country, and Alternative Rock. I still get to let loose on the guitar, but within a more subdued and reflective manner. Ambiance inspired the name of the album, Post-Midnight Behaviour.” “I have released a few live albums in recent years. They are much quicker and a time stamp on where you are at that moment. I took my time over the new album so that it would be super-realized in every aspect. My writing team and I really pushed ourselves. We dug deep to make sure the songwriting was of the highest quality, and the arrangements were carefully structured and perfectly executed. My fans are going to really like what we have created. It was well worth the wait!” |
Photo by Mike Inns TRACK LISTING 1. No Second Chances (5:42) PRODUCTION CREDITS THE MUSICIANS Ben Poole – Guitars, Vocals ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK 1. NO SECOND CHANCES “I’ve tried to understand what you’re searching for. It builds steadily to one of Ben’s signature guitar solos. “Dive into the deep unknown. It rises to another of Ben’s melodic, standout guitar solos. 3. TIME HAS NO MERCY “There’s no need to take the easy way out. It’s the kind of song made for long overnight drives on empty roads when you’re racing toward whatever waits ahead. 4. LIVING ON REPEAT (BURIED IN THE BACKGROUND) “I cut and cauterize to see if I can feel this. Fragmented and unsettling, it rejects a clear verse-chorus structure in favour of a single driving impulse: to escape and survive. 5. SUMMER HAZE “The sun’s gone down, the tide is out. 6. RUNAWAY SOULS (FEATURING ELLES BAILEY) “We won’t be told we’re good for nothing. As ever, Bailey is full of surprises and utterly uncompromising. A phenomenal performance. 7. SEARCHING “We’ve been searching for a way out of everything that’s come before. At its heart, this is a song about hope and finding the courage to keep moving forward when the destination remains unclear. You may never find exactly what you’re searching for, but you’ll be changed for the better by the journey itself. Thoughtful, poignant, and deeply affecting. 8. NOTHING TO YOU “Keep refusing, I’m reaching the end here. The object of desire may mean nothing to the singer in the end, but this song could mean everything to anyone looking for a soundtrack to those long, lonely hours. Effortlessly cool, relentlessly catchy, and impossible to resist. 9. START OF THE END As the sun rises, pure melody and power-anthem guitars provide the perfect accompaniment, transforming despair into defiance and uncertainty into hope. And then comes that chorus—soaring, life-affirming, and utterly irresistible. What a way to greet the solar miracle that has captivated humankind since the dawn of time. Exhilarating, redemptive, and unforgettable. BEN POOLE 2026 UK TOUR TICKETS AVAILBLE FROM Kinross, The Green Hotel Glasgow, Nice ‘N’ Sleazys Newcastle, The Cluny Coulsdon, The Tuesday Night Music Club Oxford, The Bullingdon Frome, Tree House Swansea, Sin City Winchester, The Railway Inn Brighton, Komedia Tunbridge Wells, The Forum London, Half Moon Putney Luton, Bear Club Barnoldswick, Music and Arts Centre Leicester, The International Camberley, Login Lounge Chester, The Live Rooms Dudley, Lamp Tavern Live Leamington Spa, Temperance # # # 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. He has also been named among the world’s top 15 blues guitarists by Total Guitar and Music Radar. 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 |
