Disclosure | Holding On | Music Is My King Size Bed

When Disclosure released “Bang That” in early May, it offered us our first OFFICIAL taste of NEW Disclosure music since, well TECHNICALLY April 2014 when the duo released “The Mechanism,” a stand-alone collaboration with fellow DJ/producer/songwriter Friend Within (AKA Lee Mortimer) but BEFORE that, their re-worked version of “F For You” with Mary J. Blige. All I can say is, it’s been a L-O-O-O-O-N-G 13 months but those Lawrence Brothers are back with a SMASHER of a new single, “Holding On” featuring the vocal talents of 43 year-old Grammy-winning American jazz vocalist, Gregory Porter. Check it out below.

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Yes, “Bang That” is an aggressive dancefloor-designed club cut sure to get people on their feet, but it’s not a single people. Despite a perfectly placed sample (courtesy of DJ Nasty AKA Detroit’s Filthiest-producer on “Pass Out“) the song just doesn’t have anything in the way of a verse or chorus to resonate with the listener. I’m not saying Disclosure needs to tack on a vocalist on EVERY TRACK, I’m simply saying that for a single you at least need a chorus, especially coming off the success of “Latch.” On their debut album, “When A Fire Starts To Burn” was one of my favorite tracks, despite it not having a real vocal. That’s OK, “Bang That” wasn’t meant to be a single. It was meant as a TASTE…a TEASE of what’s to come. Speaking of…let’s get back to WHAT’S TO COME.

Not even 5 seconds into “Holding On” you know it’s going to be HUGE. Before the beat even kicks in, the vocal powerhouse that is Gregory Porter, grabs hold of that first note, squeezing it for all its worth, fading out as Disclosure‘s glitchy garage beats come slinking in. Porter’s soulful style is the perfect fit for Disclosure‘s brand of beat-making. The song, which premiered Tuesday evening on BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac‘s show, went up on YouTube soon after it’s premiere and is now available to download. According to the boys (Guy & Howard), the song started out as a straight-up ballad they had written with Porter but they opted to re-purpose it, or remix it into it’s current form. THANK GOD they did (although, I would quite like to hear Porter singing the ballad version at some point). Maybe somewhere down the line.

While details are sparse right now on Disclosure‘s HIGHLY anticipated sophomore record, we can expect new songs and special guest announcements in the weeks leading up to and following the duo’s inaugural Wild Life Festival, June 6th & 7th in Brighton. The boys told Annie Mac that these festival dates would offer fans the first glimpse of both their new live show, as well as new music and featured guests. BRING IT ON. “Holding On” is out now (iTunes) via PMR/Island Records.

OH and while you’re waiting for new Disclosure, go check out Gregory Porter‘s Grammy-winning album, Liquid Spirit. Here’s a fantastic remix of the album’s title track from Claptone (iTunes).

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