Anytime You Need Me was the last studio album release from Ben Poole, a still relatively young man who’s been listed among the world’s top 15 blues guitarists in assorted polls and tucked some awards under his arm during his career. This journalist caught him live a few years back up in Manchester, and he certainly didn’t disappoint in that area. But that last album’s title has proved a double-edged sword because it has been eight years without a follow-up.
However, things are about to change. Out now is his new single ‘No Second Chances’, which reads as a mission statement right from the get-go, with news of a longplayer, entitled Post-Midnight Behaviour, heading our way on 25th September. What’s more intriguing are the snippets of information being fed our way; while all that fans have come to expect from Poole’s music and his playing is set to continue, it looks like he’s also responding to the times, and how that affects the modern working musician.
Post-Midnight Behaviour, we are told, while rooted in blues rock, also explores new musical ground. A more laid back sound is suggested, one shaped by subtle rock grooves and “hooks that flare like shooting stars”. Expressive without excess and memorable without distraction, the songs are said to leave a deep impression without ever overwhelming the listener.
“I wanted this album to showcase my evolution as guitarist and singer songwriter,” Poole said. “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-realised 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!”
That aforementioned team sees Wayne Proctor continuing his association with Poole, once more drumming and co-producing, and mixing and mastering the album. The former skinsman with the award-winning King King, now with The Dead Collective, Proctor is joined by the latter group’s vocalist and guitarist, Oli Brown, also co-writing, producing and adding backing vocals and Moog to the record.
Poole himself takes lead vocals, plays guitar, co-produces and writes, his regular bass player Steve Amadeo is also involved in the writing process, Bennett Holland plays keyboards on the album, and Elles Bailey guests vocally to ‘Runaway Souls’.
But it’s not only the writing, arranging and production side of things that we’re seeing evolve in Ben Poole. There’s a change of record company, and it’s a keenly interesting one: Gypsy Soul Records. This Canadian label is the home of The Commoners, who’ve been making quite a name for themselves the last couple of years, and they’ve been growing, adding other Canadian Juno award-nominated acts like Spencer Mackenzie, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Miss Emily and others.
With those Canadian acts increasingly touring on our shores, who reached out to whom remains unclear, but Gypsy Soul Records is obviously extending its remit and talent pool with the addition of Ben Poole to their label. And it’s also worthy of note that The Commoners’ guitarist Ross Hayes-Citrullo, who works substantially with the label, mixed and edited the radio version of ‘Runaway Souls’.
Tracks featured on Post-Midnight Behaviour are: ‘No Second Chances’, ‘Empty’, ‘Time Has No Mercy’, ‘Living On Repeat (Buried in the Background)’, ‘Summer Haze’, ‘Runaway Souls’ (featuring Elles Bailey), ‘Searching’, ‘Nothing To You’, ‘Start Of The End’ and ‘Runaway Souls’ (featuring Elles Bailey, Radio Version).
‘No Second Chances’ is out now on all streaming platforms, with the video below.
Soul-burning but tempered in its delivery, for those who considered Ben Poole’s new single ‘No Second Chances’ a personal manifesto it’s far more subtle than that. Rather, a man despairing of the lies and let-downs of a lover, friend or associate, with some potent lines delivered, and perhaps a reminder that Poole’s smooth vocal delivery is too often ignored, and one that whatever passes for mainstream radio these days really ought to have picked up on by now. Musically the dynamics change in their intensity, a too-brief guitar solo tonally different and making you wonder the direction it might take extended live.
Following release of the album, Ben Poole will be taking to the road once more, touring to promote Post-Midnight Behaviour. Tickets are available direct from venues and Poole’s website.
BEN POOLE UK TOUR 2026
Kinross, The Green Hotel, Saturday October 31
Glasgow, Nice ‘N’ Sleazys, Sunday November 1
Newcastle, The Cluny, Monday November 2
Coulsdon, The Tuesday Night Music Club, Tuesday November 3
Oxford, The Bullingdon, Wednesday November 4
Frome, Tree House, Thursday November 5
Swansea, Sin City, Friday November 6
Winchester, The Railway Inn, Saturday November 7
Brighton, Komedia, Sunday November 8
Tunbridge Wells, The Forum, Wednesday November 11
London, Half Moon Putney, Thursday November 12
Luton, Bear Club, Friday November 13
Barnoldswick, Music and Arts Centre, Sunday November 15
Leicester, The International, Tuesday November 17
Camberley, Login Lounge, Wednesday November 18
Chester, The Live Rooms, Thursday November 19
Dudley, Lamp Tavern Live, Friday November 20
Leamington Spa, Temperance, Saturday November 21
