Following the brooding triumph of their debut album Taut, Manchester quartet [slab] are stepping back into the spotlight with a new single, Holding Pattern. The track arrives just in time for their support slot with post-rock pioneers Unwound at Gorilla, Manchester, on 1st November 2025.

Recorded earlier this year with long-time collaborator Simon ‘Ding’ Archer (PJ Harvey, The Fall, Pixies), Holding Pattern is a fitting continuation of [slab]’s ascent. True to its name, the song balances suspension and collapse – rising with a sense of clarity before plunging into something rawer and unresolved. It’s an emotional pendulum, twisting through turbulent passages before settling on a form of release.

Since forming in 2019, [slab] have carved out a reputation for their widescreen approach to composition – music that feels both intimate and cinematic. Taut, released in March, drew critical acclaim across the board. Therapy?’s Andy Cairns called it “a near perfect collection of tracks… very, very highly recommended,” while Louder Than War awarded it album of the week with a five-star review, hailing it as “a trip to the dark side of the Manchester music scene that can’t be matched this year.” Sun 13 praised its intensity, describing it as “one of those moments that makes you realise why new music conquers all.”

With Holding Pattern, [slab] seem less interested in repeating the victories of Taut and more intent on deepening their own mythology. It’s the sound of a band testing their edges, refusing to stand still.

Find them on social media: @slabisthree