“Empty” is the latest new Ben Poole material to emerge after an eight-year absence, and there is no sense that he has lost a step. This is six minutes of sheer class.
“‘Empty’ was one of the first songs we wrote for this new album and really helped shape the direction we took going forward,” says Poole. “I wanted there to be a mix of darkness and light throughout.”
That contrast defines the song. “Empty” builds slowly, its wonderful harmonies and spacious guitar work seeming to echo through the darkness. There is something of Mark Knopfler in its restraint, but this never feels without hope. Instead, it has the air of someone looking through the gloom and searching for the light beyond it.
That might have something to do with the presence of Wayne Proctor and Oli Brown as co-writers, because there is certainly a touch of The Dead Collective about its brooding atmosphere and emotional weight.
Then Poole cuts loose with the solo and, my goodness, he has lost none of that skill. It is beautifully judged, soaring without becoming self-indulgent and providing the release that the song has spent several minutes building towards.
As another taste of Poole’s forthcoming album, “Empty” is perfect. It sounds exactly like Ben Poole should, but crucially, like Ben Poole with nearly a decade more life under his belt.
