Holding Back
| "Holding Back" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Banks | ||||
| from the album Serpentina | ||||
| Released | February 25, 2022 | |||
| Length | 3:53 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| Banks singles chronology | ||||
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| Lyric video | ||||
| "Holding Back" on YouTube | ||||
"Holding Back" is a song by American singer-songwriter Banks, released on February 25, 2022 as the third single from her fourth studio album, Serpentina (2022).
Background and promotion
After releaseing two previous singles, "The Devil" and "Skinnydipped",[1] Banks debuted "Holding Back" on February 24, 2022, in Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[2][3] Alongside the single's release, she announced her then-upcoming fourth album, Serpentina.[4][5][6][7]
According to Banks, "Holding Back" carries an "energy that is so big it could take up the whole room". She stated that amid the negativity of the COVID-19 pandemic, she wanted to uplift listeners through her music, offering a contrast to the darker material on her earlier albums Goddess (2014) and The Altar (2016). She added that the song "makes me feel ready to conquer the world".[8] The Line of Best Fit's Hannah Broughton described "Holding Back" as "rapturous", noting that the song showcases new vocal approaches from Banks including "Nao-like pitched-up vocals".[9]
Composition
Skyy Rincon of MXDWN described "Holding Back" as "euphoric", highlighting its "mellifluous harmonization". She stated that the song "starts off on an intense note", and noted its "dreamy atmosphere" as it develops with layered vocalizations and melodies. Rincon concluded that the track results in a "decadent, heavenly listener experience".[10]
Personnel
Credits were adapted from Tidal.[11]
- Banks – lead vocal, songwriter, producer
- Eliot Peter Phillip Dubock – songwriter, producer
- Israel Heller – songwriter
- Jasmin Mary Tadjiky – songwriter
- Rachel Emily Moulden – songwriter
- Tālā – producer
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | June 16, 2022 |
|
[12] |
References
- ^ Kenneally, Cerys (February 25, 2022). "Banks announces fourth album with new single "Holding Back"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ Newstead, Al (February 28, 2022). "Banks Isn't 'Holding Back' on Her New Single and Fourth Album, Serpentina". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ Graves, Wren (February 25, 2022). "Banks Announces New Album Serpentina, Debuts "Holding Back" on Kimmel: Watch". Consequence. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ Sanchez, Emma (February 25, 2022). "Banks Shares Explosive New Single 'Holding Back,' Confirms New Album". Variance. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
- ^ Lavin, Will (February 25, 2022). "Banks Announces New Album Serpentina, Shares Anthemic Single 'Holding Back'". NME. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ Milewski, Kathryn (February 25, 2022). "Banks Releases New Single 'Holding Back' & Announces Upcoming Album Serpentina". Live365. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ Murray, Robin (February 25, 2022). "Banks Launches New Album Serpentina". Clash. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ Mier, Thomás (February 25, 2022). "Banks Slithers into the Driver's Seat of Her Destiny as She Announces LP Serpentina". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ Broughton, Hannah (April 5, 2022). "Banks Leans into Her '00s R&B and Pop Influences on Serpentina". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on April 10, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- ^ Rincon, Skyt (February 24, 2022). "Banks Announces New Album Serpentina For April 2022 Release, Debuts Euphoric New Single "Holding Back"". MXDWN. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ "Holding Back". Tidal. February 15, 2022. Credits. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ "Holding Back". Spotify. February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2026.