“EMPTY” RELEASED FRIDAY 31 JULY 2026
STREAM “EMPTY” | WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO
NEW ALBUM “POST-MIDNIGHT BEHAVIOUR” RELEASED FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2026
PRE-ORDER CD AND VINYL | PRE-SAVE DIGITALLY
Celebrated British guitar phenom Ben Poole will release his new single, “Empty,” on Friday 31 July via Gypsy Soul Records.
The single will be available on all streaming platforms here, while its official lyric video can be watched on YouTube.
“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 fresh musical territory.
Released by Gypsy Soul Records on Friday 25 September 2026, the album is available to pre-order on CD and vinyl and to pre-save digitally.
“‘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 behind the emotionally compelling new single.
“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 a plectrum. It can be smooth or aggressive depending on the approach and 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.”
Photo: Mike Inns
Venturing into broader musical landscapes, Poole 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 a guitarist and singer-songwriter,” says Poole. “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. Ambience 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 timestamp of where you are at that moment. I took my time over the new album so that it would be fully 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!”
TRACK LISTING
- “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
THE MUSICIANS
Ben Poole – guitars and vocals
Wayne Proctor – drums
Oli Brown – backing vocals and Moog
Steve Amadeo – bass
Bennett Holland – Hammond organ, piano, Wurlitzer and Rhodes
Elles Bailey – guest vocals on “Runaway Souls”
BEN POOLE UK TOUR 2026
Tickets are available from benpooleband.com/live.
Saturday 31 October – The Green Hotel, Kinross
Sunday 1 November – Nice ’N’ Sleazys, Glasgow
Monday 2 November – The Cluny, Newcastle
Tuesday 3 November – The Tuesday Night Music Club, Coulsdon
Wednesday 4 November – The Bullingdon, Oxford
Thursday 5 November – Tree House, Frome
Friday 6 November – Sin City, Swansea
Saturday 7 November – The Railway Inn, Winchester
Sunday 8 November – Komedia, Brighton
Wednesday 11 November – The Forum, Tunbridge Wells
Thursday 12 November – Half Moon Putney, London
Friday 13 November – Bear Club, Luton
Sunday 15 November – Music and Arts Centre, Barnoldswick
Tuesday 17 November – The International, Leicester
Wednesday 18 November – Login Lounge, Camberley
Thursday 19 November – The Live Rooms, Chester
Friday 20 November – Lamp Tavern Live, Dudley
Saturday 21 November – Temperance, Leamington Spa
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 MusicRadar.
Poole 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.
