Holding On album art

Holding On

Disclosure
Caracal (2015)
Moderate 122 BPM
AI-analyzed — check another song
Balanced energy, right in the middle of 19,209 measured songs — measures out best for focus.
122
BPM

Holding On by Disclosure is 122 BPM — Allegro (fast).

Half-time 61 BPM · Double-time 244 BPM · released 2015

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Fan image for "Holding On"

An abstract illustration of what this song feels like. Each image is built from a prompt — the text description fed to the image generator. Listeners submit their own prompts, upvote the ones that fit best, and the top-voted prompt drives the next regeneration. After 100 image votes, we make a new picture.

Fan-driven abstract illustration evoking the emotional arc of Holding On by Disclosure
The prompt that made this image Editorial abstract illustration evoking the emotional arc of a song titled "Holding On" by Disclosure. Noticeable climb from quiet to loud. layered composition, overlapping color planes. Mood: energetic, intimate, uplifting. Visual style: contemporary editorial aesthetic. Painterly, grainy film texture, muted palette with strategic accent colors. The composition should read left-to-right like a timeline — calm on one side, intensifying toward the other. Strictly no faces, no text, no logos, no literal objects, no band imagery. Pure color-field abstraction with emotional weight. 16:9 editorial format.

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"Editorial abstract illustration evoking the emotional arc of a song titled "Holding On" by Disclosure. Noticeable climb from quiet to loud. layered composition, overlapping color planes. Mood: energetic, intimate, uplifting. Visual style: contemporary editorial aesthetic. Painterly, grainy film texture, muted palette with strategic accent colors. The composition should read left-to-right like a timeline — calm on one side, intensifying toward the other. Strictly no faces, no text, no logos, no literal objects, no band imagery. Pure color-field abstraction with emotional weight. 16:9 editorial format."

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Song DNA

Dynamic Range7/10
Sudden Changesmild
Texturelayered
Predictabilitymedium
Vocal Styledynamic vocals
Notes: Smooth electronic grooves with building synth layers and soulful vocals create an engaging but not overwhelming sensory experience. Subtle drops and rhythmic pulses provide moderate intensity without harsh edges.

Misophonia Triggers

Mouth Soundsnone
Percussive Clicksmild
Breathing Soundsnone
Repetitive Micro-soundsmild

An uplifting house track featuring soulful vocals from Gregory Porter over Disclosure's signature deep basslines and intricate electronic production.

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Hear it the way it was made

The right gear changes everything.

Moods: energetic, intimate, uplifting

Traditions: electronic, house

Volume Warning

"Holding On" climbs hard.

Dynamic range 7/10 places this in our upper band. The opening volume that feels comfortable will not be comfortable at the climax. If you are setting this up for a focused listen, anchor your volume to the quietest section, not the loudest. The arc is the point of the song; if you blunt it by riding the volume knob, you lose what makes it work. Disclosure built the dynamic shape on purpose. Plan around it.

How this song sits on each sensory axis

A dynamic range of 7/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.

Sudden changes: mild. There are one or two transitions worth knowing about, though they're musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.

Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.

Predictability is medium — conventional structure overall, with one or two moments that deviate from what you'd expect.

Vocal style: dynamic vocals.

Where this sits in Disclosure's catalog

We have 19 songs from Disclosure in the library. Of those, 2 are rated Safe, 15 Moderate, and 2 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 7/10 sits above the artist average of 6.2, making it the #4 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.

Other tracks from Caracal

We have 4 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans moderate in sensory profile.

2015 context

Released in 2015. We have 373 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.3/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 2010s.

Explore by mood and tradition

Moods
energetic · 5435intimate · 2271uplifting · 1660
Traditions
electronic · 920house · 74

Guides that may help

The Calmest Songs We’ve Ever Measured
Out of 19,144 songs scored for intensity, these measure as the very calmest — the gentlest, steadies…
Why Post-Rock Works for Focus — The Logic of Slow Builds
Why post-rock holds attention that slides off everything else: long builds, few sudden changes, and …
How to Build the Perfect Focus Playlist for Work — A Sensory-Rated Approach
How to Build the Perfect Focus Playlist for Work — A Sensory-Rated Approach — A guide for sensory-se…

How fast is "Holding On"?

122 BPM — Upbeat (dance-pop / running warm-up)

For running

Slow jog or recovery run pace. Matches a 120-140 stride-per-minute cadence.

For workouts

Steady cardio, power walking, light weights.

For daily life

Driving, getting ready in the morning, light party.

Browse more songs at 122 BPM.

When "Holding On" works, and when it doesn't

Use-case verdicts computed from the song's tempo, dynamics, and sensory profile.

✗
Focus / studying

No — too dynamic or too many surprises. Save for active listening.

✓
Running / workout

Yes — 122 BPM sits squarely in the running / cardio band. Matches natural stride cadence.

✗
Sleep / winding down

No — contains elements that will keep an awake nervous system engaged.

✓
Driving / road trip

Yes — predictable enough for safe driving attention, interesting enough to stay engaged.

✓
Cooking / dinner background

Yes — sits in the background without demanding attention.

~
Emotional release / catharsis

Not really — it's pleasant but doesn't hit hard enough for cathartic listening.

Related reading

Editorial guides that cover this song's use cases, moods, or artist.

The Calmest Songs We’ve Ever Measured

Out of 19,144 songs scored for intensity, these measure as the very calmest — the gentlest, steadiest, lowest-energy music in the library. A…

Illustration for Why Post-Rock Works for Focus — The Logic of Slow Builds

Why Post-Rock Works for Focus — The Logic of Slow Builds

Why post-rock holds attention that slides off everything else: long builds, few sudden changes, and enough happening to occupy the part of y…

Illustration for How to Build the Perfect Focus Playlist for Work — A Sensory-Rated Approach

How to Build the Perfect Focus Playlist for Work — A Sensory-Rated Approach

How to Build the Perfect Focus Playlist for Work — A Sensory-Rated Approach — A guide for sensory-sensitive listeners on musiciwant.com

Why this rating

We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.

This song in the Music Studio
53/100 intensity

See how “Holding On” sits against your own sensitivities, or use it as a waypoint in a calmer set.

Check against my sensitivities → Build a calm set Analyze a playlist

Listen on

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Spotify and YouTube links go direct to the track when we have the ID; otherwise they search for it. Embed this sensory profile on your site →

For focused listening

Independently chosen tools listed on eBay. We may earn a commission from these links, at no extra cost to you.

Wireless Headphones Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Stereo Earphones Over Ear Headset Wireless Headphones Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Stereo Earphones … $13.99 · New Wireless Bluetooth 5.1 Headphones Over Ear LED Headset Stereo Noise Cancelling Wireless Bluetooth 5.1 Headphones Over Ear LED Headset Stereo No… $17.79 · New NEW! *B Iconic Focus True Wireless Earbuds with Charging Case White, Bluetooth NEW! *B Iconic Focus True Wireless Earbuds with Charging Case Wh… $19.99 · New Sony WH-CH520 Over Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones  WHCH520 - BEIGE Sony WH-CH520 Over Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones WHCH520 - … $23.99 · Open box

Browse more focus & deep work on eBay →

Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-14. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.

Think this rating is wrong? Contact the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.

By the numbers: how this song compares

Computed from this song’s place among the 19,209 songs we’ve measured.

Where it sits in 19,000 songs

On our 19k-song scale this lands in the middle band — more energetic than 69% of songs, calmer than the other 31%. Its intensity reading of 53/100 comes from a dynamic range of 7/10, layered texture, mild shifts, and dynamic vocals. It shares this stretch of the spectrum with thousands of other tracks, so the finer fingerprint below is what really separates it.

What makes it unusual

What stands out most about this song is a fast, driving tempo: more extreme on that axis than 80% of everything we've measured. At the far opposite end of the library sit the songs built on near-total stillness — steady volume, no surprises, a slow and unhurried pulse — the kind of track this one is the counterpoint to.

Feels almost identical to

Closest matches by feel across all 19,209 measured songs — not by genre or artist, by how they actually move.

What it’s good for

Sleep3/10
Focus7/10
Workout6/10
Dinner7/10
Party / hype6/10

Scored from this song’s tempo, intensity, dynamics and texture — not crowd votes.

2015 in context

The 373 songs we’ve measured from 2015 average a dynamic range of 6.3/10. At 7/10, this track is louder and more dynamic than its year.

Mixes smoothly with

Within a few BPM and close in feel — they flow without a jarring transition.

The fingerprint

Intensity53
Dynamics67
Tempo46
Surprise25
Density33
Predictability50
Vocal force75
Trigger load25

The 8-dimension measurement behind every rating on this page.

Frequently asked about "Holding On"

Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.

What is the BPM of "Holding On" by Disclosure?

"Holding On" by Disclosure has a tempo of 122 BPM (Allegro (fast)). At half-time that is 61 BPM, and at double-time 244 BPM.

What is the sensory intensity of "Holding On" by Disclosure?

"Holding On" by Disclosure rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 7/10, mild sudden changes, layered texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.

How loud is "Holding On" — what is its dynamic range?

"Holding On" has a dynamic range of 7/10. Noticeable climb from quiet sections to loudest point. Set opening volume slightly lower than your preferred peak.

Does "Holding On" have sudden or surprising changes?

"Holding On" has mild sudden changes — one or two transitions worth knowing about, but they are musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.

What is "Holding On" best for?

In our library "Holding On" is recommended for: energy, focus, movement. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.

When was "Holding On" released?

"Holding On" is from 2015, on the album "Caracal". It appears in our 2010s catalog.

What is the emotional mood of "Holding On"?

We tag "Holding On" as energetic, intimate, uplifting. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.

What is the vocal style of "Holding On"?

The vocal style is dynamic vocals.

Is "Holding On" good for running?

Yes — at 122 BPM it sits in the running-cadence band (120-180 BPM). Match your stride to the beat and it keeps pace with most recreational runners.

Is "Holding On" good for studying?

Only partially. The song's dynamic range (7/10) means there will be loud moments that break focus during deep work.

Can I use "Holding On" for sleep?

Not recommended for sleep. Contains transitions that will wake you up.

Should I listen to "Holding On"?

"Holding On" is Moderate intensity — fine for most listeners, but with enough dynamic activity that it works best as active listening rather than background.

Songs with the same DNA

layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.

1nce Again
A Tribe Called Quest
moderate
DR 7
Positively 4th Street
Bob Dylan
moderate
DR 6
Mote
Sonic Youth
intense
DR 8
Exodus
Bob Marley and the Wailers
moderate
DR 6
Boys Keep Swinging
David Bowie
moderate
DR 6
No Future Shock
TV on the Radio
moderate
DR 7

Safer alternatives with a similar feel

These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.

Behind the Gardens
Andreas Vollenweider safe
Halo
Beyoncé safe
Stop! In the Name of Love
The Supremes safe
Sweet Nothing
Taylor Swift safe
All Night
Beyoncé safe

What this song means to people

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Where to next?

You know how this one feels — now go find the next one.

Songs that feel like this → Dial it calmer or bigger Find music by how you feel
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