Review: Ben Poole – Post-Midnight Behaviour
Ben Poole returns with ‘Post-Midnight Behaviour’, his first studio album of new material in eight years
Ben Poole – Post-Midnight Behaviour
Format: CD / Vinyl LP / Digital
Label: Gypsy Soul Records
Release date: September 25, 2026
Text: Martien Koolen
Ben Poole is an English guitarist/singer/composer and ‘Post-Midnight Behaviour’ is his first studio album in eight years, containing ten tracks. After a couple of spins, it is clear that Poole is an impressive guitarist, as some of his solos on this new album are almost brilliant.
However, the compositions are not really surprising or inventive, and the melodies and vocals are way too sweet and sometimes even too corny indeed.
No Second Chances, the first single, released on July 3rd, is such a typical song on this album; almost whispering vocals, a mid-tempo guitar riff, “sweet” lyrics, and a thrilling guitar solo.
Runaway Souls, featuring Elles Bailey on vocals, is the lead single from ‘Post-Midnight Behaviour’ and it is a poppy track with an addictive chorus and a nice guitar solo.
Empty is a ballad-like, laid back track with bittersweet vocals, but at the three-minute mark, Poole let his guitar do the talking, as he plays a fast, furious, formidable guitar solo.
Time Has No Mercy is an up tempo “rocker,” and again the short guitar solos give this track that extra feeling.
Summer Haze is a poppy song which should do well on the radio, but for me it is way too sweet, while Nothing To You has a funky rhythm/hook and again a brilliant guitar solo.
Start Of The End highlights another melodic, goosebump guitar solo, proving that Poole can play a mean and melodic guitar for sure!
Overall, this new Poole album is a blend of blues, rock, country, alternative rock, and pop, featuring more than excellent guitar solos; however, the songs/compositions are not always strong or innovative enough to really “impress” me.
So, I really have mixed feelings about this album; best tracks definitely are: No Second Chances, Empty and Start Of The End.
Tracks:
01. No Second Chances
02. Empty
03. Time Has No Mercy
04. Living On Repeat (Buried in the Background)
05. Summer Haze
06. Runaway Souls – featuring Elles Bailey
07. Searching
08. Nothing To You
09. Start Of The End
10. Runaway Souls – featuring Elles Bailey (Radio Version)
Website: https://benpooleband.com/
Read also:
Want to discover more from Ben Poole and related artists? Click on the titles below to read earlier articles on Bluestown Music.
Review: Ben Poole – Live In Montreux
An earlier Bluestown Music review of Poole’s 2024 live album.
Recensie: Ben Poole Trio – Live ’19
A review of Poole’s double live album recorded during three UK concerts in 2019.
Review: Elles Bailey – Can’t Take My Story Away
A Bluestown Music review of Elles Bailey, who contributes guest vocals to Runaway Souls.