"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).
After releaseing two previous singles, "The Devil" and "Skinnydipped", Banks debuted "Holding Back" on February 24, 2022, in Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Alongside the single's release, she announced her then-upcoming fourth album, Serpentina.
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". The Line of Best Fits Hannah Broughton described "Holding Back" as "rapturous", noting that the song showcases new vocal approaches from Banks including "Nao-like pitched-up vocals".
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".
Credits were adapted from Tidal.