Ciaran McAuley and Liel Kolet join forces on “Something To Hold”, an emotionally driven Vocal Trance release on Black Hole Recordings. Released on October 16, 2026, the 128 BPM collaboration takes a more measured approach to McAuley’s signature melodic sound, transforming a heartfelt love song into a Trance production where songwriting and emotional connection take centre stage.
From a Los Angeles Writing Session to the Dancefloor
The story behind “Something To Hold” begins far away from the club environment.
During a songwriting session in Los Angeles, Liel Kolet and fellow singer-songwriter Sarah de Warren discovered a chord progression that inspired them to create an emotional ballad. Within hours, they had developed a song built around love, vulnerability and human connection.
Ciaran McAuley subsequently took the composition into the Trance world, translating its original emotional vision into an electronic production.
That creative journey gives “Something To Hold” an interesting identity. Rather than beginning with a club-oriented instrumental and adding a vocal topline, the collaboration developed from a song whose emotional message was already established.
Liel Kolet Brings the Emotional Heart
Liel Kolet is no stranger to combining expressive songwriting with electronic music.
Having performed alongside internationally recognised musicians including Andrea Bocelli and Herbie Hancock, the singer has increasingly established herself within the Trance scene. Her recent collaborations include “Endless Sky” with Craig Connelly, another Black Hole Recordings release from earlier in 2026.
With “Something To Hold”, her voice and the original songwriting provide the emotional foundation for McAuley’s production.
The collaboration highlights an important quality of Vocal Trance: its ability to connect the intimacy of a personal song with the collective experience of electronic dance music.
A More Measured Direction for Ciaran McAuley
At 128 BPM, “Something To Hold” occupies a different tempo range from the faster uplifting productions frequently associated with Ciaran McAuley.
While its melodic and emotional identity remains firmly connected to Trance, the lower tempo suggests a more progressive-paced approach rather than an emphasis on relentless peak-time intensity.
That distinction matters. Emotional Trance does not necessarily need to operate at 138 or 140 BPM to communicate its message effectively. Sometimes, giving the songwriting more room is a direction worth exploring.
TranceAttack Verdict
“Something To Hold” stands out as an interesting collaboration because of the creative process behind it.
Liel Kolet and Sarah de Warren bring the original songwriting and emotional foundation, while Ciaran McAuley provides the production perspective needed to take that material into the Trance environment.
The result is a release with a clear artistic concept: an emotional love song transformed into Vocal Trance without making speed its defining characteristic.
For listeners drawn to the melodic and vocal side of the genre, that approach provides a compelling reason to explore the collaboration. Those expecting the full acceleration of McAuley’s faster uplifting productions should approach it from a different perspective.
⭐️ Rating: 9 / 10
🎧 Perfect for:
- Emotional Vocal Trance selections
- Melodic and progressive-paced Trance sets
- Sunset and late-night listening
- Vocal-focused DJ journeys
Release details:
Artist: Ciaran McAuley, Liel Kolet
Track: Something To Hold
Style: Vocal Trance
BPM: 128
Label: Black Hole Recordings
Release Date: October 16th, 2026
Get your copy here: https://blackhole.lnk.to/Something
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