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Hold on to Now

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"Hold on to Now"
Single by Kylie Minogue
from the album Tension
Released30 October 2023 (2023-10-30)
Recorded2022
Studio
Genre
Length3:57
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Richard Stannard
  • Duck Blackwell
  • Jon Green
Kylie Minogue singles chronology
"Tension"
(2023) 		"Hold on to Now"
(2023) 		"Dance Alone"
(2024)
Lyric video
"Hold on to Now" on YouTube

"Hold on to Now" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. BMG Rights Management and Minogue's company Darenote released it for airplay on 30 October 2023, and then distributed it in various digital and physical formats between November and December that same year. Minogue wrote the song with producers Jon Green, Duck Blackwell, and her longtime collaborator Richard "Biffco" Stannard. "Hold on to Now" was one of the first songs written for the album Tension. It was developed from a sample melody Minogue sent to Stannard via voice note.

Minogue considers "Hold on to Now" to be one of her favourite songs from the album. It is a synth-driven track with electronic music elements and gospel sections performed by the House Gospel Choir. The song's lyrics address Minogue's desire to ask existential questions and seek answers. Music critics praised "Hold on to Now" for the singer's vocals, songwriting skills, and overall production quality. Some critics have compared it to the work of the Swedish singer Robyn. The song was also shortlisted for Song of the Year at the 2024 APRA Music Awards.

Prior to its official release, "Hold on to Now" charted in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and it was the UK's 18th best-selling vinyl single in 2023. To promote the song, Minogue uploaded a lyric video to her YouTube channel, alongside various album visualisers that debuted on the same day as the album's release. Minogue also performed the song at several live events, including her More Than Just a Residency show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Writing and development

[edit]

In 2022, Minogue began working on new music during her downtime.[1] She visited her friend and long-time collaborator, Richard "Biffco" Stannard, and they started working together. According to Stannard, they were only experimenting with sounds, without initially planning to create an album.[1] One of the pieces conceived prior to the sessions was a voice note that Minogue had sent to Stannard featuring a simple "na-na-na" melody.[2] They later brought in producer and multi-instrumentalist Duck Blackwell and, together with songwriter Jon Green, the group developed "Hold on to Now," one of the first tracks to emerge from the sessions.[1]

Blackwell stated that Minogue and Biffco were "very welcoming," and he immediately felt comfortable sharing his personal stories, which helped shape "Hold on To Now."[1] Biffco and Blackwell co-produced the song, alongside Green, who contributed to the song's production and songwriting process.[3] The track was recorded at Biffco Studios in Brighton, The Pool Studio in Bermondsey, and Infinite Disco Studios in Melbourne. Ben Loveland served as the recording engineer, with additional engineering assistance from James Pinfield-Wells and Minogue herself. Guy Massey mixed the song, which also features the House Gospel Choir, directed by Natalie Maddix.[3]

Composition

[edit]

"I wanted to write about the fact that we spend so much time wondering where we're going that we forget to enjoy the present moment, even though that moment isn't going to last. This title is about that period of time when I'm looking for answers, and I can't find them."[4]

—Minogue discussing the themes of "Hold on to Now".

"Hold on to Now" is a three-minute, 58-second synth-driven track with electronic music elements.[5] The song is written in the key of B minor.[6] According to Michael Cragg of Crack, the song's sound is "synth-slathered", while Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic describes it as "encouraging uplift" with "sparkles and builds to a joyous chorus, atop intergalactic synths and subtle New Order-esque guitar noodling".[7][8] According to Vera Maksymiuk of Riff, the track features a "super-charged bass line and ethereal synths as she reassures us that "we can keep dancing forever".[9]

Some critics likened the sound to that of Swedish singer Robyn. The Financial Times writer Ludovic Hunter-Tilney described the song as "euphoric electronic pop with a Robyn-esque tinge of melancholy".[10] In his review of the song's parent album, Tension, Harry Tafoya of Pitchfork described it as a "Robyn-esque plea for romantic faith".[11] PinkNews editor Marcus Watten described the song's sound as feeling like a "little, celestial sister to her 2020 single 'Say Something,' with a sprinkling of Robyn's 2018 comeback smash 'Honey'".[12]

The song's lyrics speak to Minogue's desire to ask and answer existential questions. In an Apple Music review, Minogue explained the song's lyrical process, saying, "But it's about searching—when you’re so busy searching for answers, you forget being in the present. That's why that speaks to me. I'm really very fond of it."[2] Minogue also stated in a podcast episode of the Zach Sang Show that "Hold on to Now" is more "expressive" than the other songs on the album.[13] According to Annabel Ross of The Sydney Morning Herald, the song is a "twinkling power ballad that hits the upper limits of tolerable schmaltz". Ross interpreted the lyrics as "Minogue being lonely, and she searches for something more meaningful".[14]

Release

[edit]

On 30 October 2023, BMG Rights Management and Minogue's company Darenote released "Hold On to Now" on airplay platforms in Italy.[15] Later, the extended version of the single was distributed on digital platforms to promote Extension (The Extended Mixes) (2023); following that, the original version was distributed in five formats: digitally and through streaming on 2 November, featuring two mixes of the song, CD single and cassette tape on 10 November, and vinyl record on 8 December, including the extended mix of the song.[16][17] Prior to its release, Minogue teased the song's announcement and release date on social media.[18] The cover artwork was created by Studio Moross and is based on images from the parent album's photo shoot.[3][16]

Critical reception

[edit]
"Hold on to Now" was compared by music critics to the work of Swedish singer Robyn (pictured).

"Hold on to Now" received positive reviews from music critics, and Minogue considers it one of her favourite songs from the album.[2][19] Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic described the song as one of the album's highlights.[8] Hannah Mylrea of Rolling Stone describes it as "late-night shimmer" and compares it to Minogue's 2010 single "Get Outta My Way" for "conjuring the same jubilation".[20] According to NME writer Nick Levine, the song "feels like an upbeat successor" to Minogue's 2020 single "Say Something" and is the "sonic equivalent of a burst of confetti".[21] According to Medium, the track "has a beautifully astronomical sound that soars upward as the glittering synths and choir erupt".[22] The Music editor Bryget Chrisfield described it as a "wistful dancefloor banger".[23]

Alexa Camp of Slant Magazine described it as "lightweight and anthemic", adding that the song is in the "vein" of Minogue's previous releases, including 2010's "All the Lovers" and 2014's "Into the Blue". Camp also stated that Minogue's vocals "coasts on a cloud of percolating synths backed by a gospel choir and a soaring guitar solo".[24] Variety contributor Todd Gilchrist praised the song's musical direction and production quality, writing that it "feels destined for an unforgettable end-of-night music festival encore, complete with a gospel choir backing Minogue up".[25]

Marcus Watten of PinkNews labelled the track as the fourth best song on the parent album, while Andrew Ryce of Resident Advisor described it as the album's "carpe diem paean".[12][26] Stereogum's Katherine St. Asaph gave the track a glowing review, stating that "the song is the surest of bets: an arpeggiated, shimmering crescendo of a pop tune about making it through hardship, one instant after another". She described it as "top-shelf material" and concluded that it "would be a near-perfect eleventh-hour album track in anyone's hands".[27] The song was also shortlisted for Song of the Year at the 2024 APRA Music Awards.[28]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Hold on to Now" charted prior to its official release. During the release week of Tension, "Hold on to Now" debuted at number 21 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart and stayed there for a week.[29] In Australia, the song peaked at number 24 on the Digital Track chart and became her third number-one single from the album to top the Independent Singles chart by Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR).[30][31] In Germany, the song peaked at number 65 on the Downloads chart.[32]

In the United Kingdom, "Hold on to Now" spent one week at number 81 on the UK Singles Chart, as well as number three on the Single Sales Chart, 17 on the Singles Download chart, and 36 on the Independent Singles Chart.[a] When it was released physically, it reached number two on the Physical Singles chart and third on the Vinyl Singles chart.[37][38] However, by the end of 2023, it was the 18th best-selling vinyl in the UK.[39] In the United States, "Hold on to Now" reached number 32 on the Dance/Electronic Songs chart and 10 on the Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart.[40][41]

Promotion

[edit]

On 22 September 2023, Minogue's YouTube channel released the lyric video for "Hold on to Now" along with other visualisers for the album. It shows Minogue sitting in a neo-futuristic room and singing the lyrics to the song featured in the video.[42] To further promote the song, Minogue gave her first live performance of "Hold on to Now" during her headlining set at Radio 2 in the Park in September 2023; I editor Shaun Curran gave it four stars out of five.[43][44] Minogue performed the song at her one-off show at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire later that month.[45] She also included the song on the setlist for her Las Vegas residency show, More Than Just a Residency.

Formats and track listing

[edit]

Digital / physical formats

  1. "Hold on to Now" – 3:57
  2. "Hold on to Now (extended mix)" – 5:28

Trance Wax single

  1. "Hold on to Now (Trance Wax Remix)" – 3:22
  2. "Hold on to Now" – 3:57

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Tension.[3]

Locations

Personnel

  • Kylie Minogue – lead vocals, additional engineering
  • Duck Blackwell – bass guitar, drums, engineering, guitar, keyboards
  • Biff Stannard – percussion, additional keyboards, backing vocals
  • Jon Green – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
  • House Gospel Choir[b] – choir
  • Natalie Maddix – choir direction, vocal arrangement
  • Liza Marie Jennings – vocal arrangement
  • Dick Beetham – mastering
  • Guy Massey – mixing
  • Ben Loveland – recording engineer[2]
  • James Pinfield-Wells – assistant engineer[2]

Charts

[edit]

Release history

[edit]
"Hold on to Now" release history
Region Date Format Label Ref(s).
Italy 30 October 2023 Radio airplay
[15]
Various 2 November 2023
[5][46]
10 November 2023
[16]
8 December 2023 7" vinyl [16]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ [33][34][35][36]
  2. ^ The House Gospel Choir consists of vocalists Cartell Green-Brown, Christian Idos, Cleo Miller-Stewart, Laura Davie, Laura Leon, Leanna Leid, Lewis Daniel, Liza Marie Jennings, and Monique Meade.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Lindores, Mark (31 October 2023). "Inside Kylie: Tension". Classic Pop. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Tension (Deluxe) by Kylie Minogue". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Minogue, Kylie (2023). Tension (liner notes). United Kingdom: BMG. 538929932.
  4. ^ Schütz, Violane; Chevalier, Erwann (2 October 2023). "Interview with Kylie Minogue: "Melancholy can be a happy place"". Numéro. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Hold On To Now - Song by Kylie Minogue". United Kingdom: Apple Music. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Hold On to Now by Kylie Minogue Chords and Melody". Hooktheory. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  7. ^ Cragg, Michael. "Kylie: Tension review". Crack. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  8. ^ a b Yeung, Neil Z. "Kylie Minogue – Tension". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 16 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  9. ^ Maksymiuk, Vera (18 September 2023). "Album Review: Kylie Minogue finds freedom in 'Tension'". Riff. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  10. ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (22 September 2023). "Kylie Minogue: Tension album review — Padam Padam sets unmatchable peak". Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  11. ^ Tafoya, Harry. "Kylie Minogue: Tension Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  12. ^ a b Watten, Marcus (22 September 2023). "Kylie Minogue: Every song on Tension, ranked from good to brilliant". PinkNews. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Kylie Minogue – Padam Padam, Tension, Kath & Kim, The Loco-Motion". YouTube. 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  14. ^ Ross, Annabel. "Sex meets nostalgia in Kylie Minogue's euphoric new album Tension". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Kylie Minogue - Hold on to Now" (in Italian). Earone. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d "Hold on to Now" formats listed below:
  17. ^ "Hold On To Now (Trance Wax Remix) - Single by Kylie Minogue". United Kingdom: Apple Music. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  18. ^ ""I've been seeing all of your love for Hold On To Now, so I wanted to make something special for you... CD and cassette singles are available to pre-order now! That's not all... Padam Padam, Tension AND Hold On To Now 7" vinyl singles have arrived! Head over to my store to add to your collection. ❤️💚💜"". Kylie Minogue's Instagram. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  19. ^ "The Music Week Interview: Kylie Minogue". Music Week. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  20. ^ Mylrea, Hannah (18 September 2023). "Kylie Minogue, 'Tension' review: Pop icon delivers irresistible dancefloor paean". Rolling Stone. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  21. ^ Levine, Nick (21 September 2023). "Kylie Minogue – 'Tension' review: up there with her best". NME. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  22. ^ "Album Review – Tension by Kylie Minogue". Medium. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  23. ^ Chrisfield, Bryget (22 September 2023). "Album Review: Kylie Minogue - 'Tension'". The Music. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  24. ^ Camp, Alexa (18 September 2023). "Kylie Minogue Tension Review: Less Tension, More Release". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  25. ^ Gilchrist, Todd (22 September 2023). "Kylie Minogue's Tension Keeps Her Drumbeat Going 'Padam Padam' With 11 Slabs of Pop Perfection: Album Review". Variety. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  26. ^ Ryce, Andrew (29 September 2023). "Kylie Minogue - Tension". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  27. ^ St. Asaph, Katherine (25 September 2023). "On Tension, Kylie Minogue's Post-"Padam" Renaissance Keeps Humming Along". Stereogum. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  28. ^ "G Flip, Genesis Owusu, RVG & More Shortlisted For 2024 APRA Song Of The Year". The Music. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  29. ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  30. ^ a b "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 2 October 2023". The ARIA Report. No. 1752. Australian Recording Industry Association. 2 October 2023. p. 9.
  31. ^ a b "100% Independent Singles – 13 November 2023". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  32. ^ a b "Offizielle Download Charts Single (02.10.2023)". MTV Germany. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  34. ^ a b "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  35. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart". Official Charts Company. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  36. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart". Official Charts Company. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  37. ^ "Official Physical Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  38. ^ "Official Vinyl Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  39. ^ a b Ainsley, Helen (4 January 2024). "The Official best-selling vinyl albums and singles of 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  40. ^ a b "Kylie Minogue Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  41. ^ "Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales". Billboard. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  42. ^ "Kylie Minogue - Hold On to Now (Official Lyric Video)". YouTube. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  43. ^ Paterson, Colin (18 September 2023). "Kylie triumphs at Radio 2 in the Park in Leicester". BBC. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  44. ^ Curran, Shaun (18 September 2023). "Kylie Minogue, Radio 2 in the Park, Leicester, review: A pure pop masterclass". I. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  45. ^ Crumlish, Callum (28 September 2023). "Kylie stunned Londoners in intimate gig with a perfect setlist and a new song debut". Daily Express. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  46. ^ "Hold On To Now - Single by Kylie Minogue". Spotify. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
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