Ben Poole has released ‘Time Has No Mercy’, the third single from his forthcoming album Post-Midnight Behaviour, due on 25 September through Gypsy Soul Records.
Following the darker tone of previous singles ‘No Second Chances’ and ‘Empty’, the new track deliberately changes direction. Built around punchy power chords and a more urgent rock feel, it finds Poole stepping outside his usual blues-rock territory without losing the guitar work that has defined his sound.
“‘Time Has No Mercy’ was one of the last songs that we wrote for the album,” says Poole. “The idea was to react against what we had written to this point.”
After several weeks spent working on emotionally heavier material, Poole and his writing team wanted something lighter and more direct.
“It’s an empowering song rather than a brooding or melancholic thing which we had just drowned ourselves in for the previous few weeks’ worth of writing.”
A small riff sparks a new direction
Interestingly, the idea that unlocked the song eventually ended up right at the end of the finished recording.
“The whole idea came from the riff which is at the very end of the song now,” explains Poole. “It’s funny how that happens sometimes. The spark for the whole song came from a tiny outro section.”
Musically, the track also gave him an opportunity to explore a slightly different approach.
“It’s a little more of a punk rock approach than I would normally take, with a lot of down-strummed power chords in the choruses,” he says.
Initially, Poole wondered whether the song had moved too far away from his established style. Adding lead guitar, intertwined rhythm parts and his own vocal helped bring it back into the wider sound of the album.
“I think the result is it still feels familiar enough to sit on the album. It’s a breath of fresh air and a light departure.”
Eight years in the making
Post-Midnight Behaviour will be Poole’s first studio album of entirely new material since Anytime You Need Me in 2018.
The nine-song record brings together blues, rock, soul, country and alternative rock, with a darker after-hours feel tying those influences together.
Poole sees the album as a reflection of how much has changed during years spent playing more than 150 shows annually across over 20 countries.
“I wanted this album to capture just how far I’ve come as a guitarist, singer and songwriter,” he says.
“Everything has grown, my guitar style, my technique, my voice and the way I hear music.”
Rather than simply turning the guitar up at every opportunity, Poole says the new record gives his playing a different setting.
“I still get to unleash the guitar, but this time it sits inside something more atmospheric, more reflective and more emotionally charged. That after-hours mood is what inspired the album title.”
Taking time over the details
Poole has released several live albums in recent years, but approached Post-Midnight Behaviour very differently.
Where a live recording captures a particular moment, he wanted the studio record to be carefully shaped from the songwriting through to the final arrangements and performances.
“My writing team and I pushed ourselves harder than ever, digging deep to make the songwriting as strong, sharp and emotionally powerful as it could be,” he says.
The album was produced by Wayne Proctor, Oli Brown and Poole, with recording taking place at House of Tone Mix Suite and Superfly Studios in Nottinghamshire.
Poole is joined by Steve Amadeo on bass, Wayne Proctor on drums and Bennett Holland on Hammond organ, piano, Wurlitzer and Rhodes. Oli Brown contributes backing vocals and Moog, while Elles Bailey guests on ‘Runaway Souls’.
‘Post-Midnight Behaviour’ track listing
- 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
A radio version of ‘Runaway Souls’ featuring Elles Bailey is also included on the physical release.
‘Time Has No Mercy’ is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Post-Midnight Behaviour will be released on 25 September 2026 through Gypsy Soul Records.
BEN POOLE 2026 UK TOUR
Kinross, The Green Hotel
Saturday October 31
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Glasgow, Nice ‘N’ Sleazys
Sunday November 1
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Newcastle, The Cluny
Monday November 2
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Coulsdon, The Tuesday Night Music Club
Tuesday November 3
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Oxford, The Bullingdon
Wednesday, November 4
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Frome, Tree House
Thursday November 5
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Swansea, Sin City
Friday November 6
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Winchester, The Railway Inn
Saturday November 7
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Brighton, Komedia
Sunday November 8
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Tunbridge Wells, The Forum
Wednesday November 11
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London, Half Moon Putney
Thursday November 12
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Luton, Bear Club
Friday November 13
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Barnoldswick, Music and Arts Centre
Sunday November 15
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Leicester, The International
Tuesday November 17
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Camberley, Login Lounge
Wednesday November 18
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Chester, The Live Rooms
Thursday November 19
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Dudley, Lamp Tavern Live
Friday November 20
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Leamington Spa, Temperance
Saturday November 21
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Cover image by Mike Inns
