What makes Tear Up This Town by Keane notable?

The song achieved notable recognition as part of the soundtrack for the critically acclaimed film 'A Monster Calls,' contributing to its emotional depth. It received positive reviews and helped rekindle interest in Keane's music, highlighting their signature sound amid a changing musical landscape. Released in 2016, 'Tear Up This Town' marked Keane's return after a three-year hiatus following their album 'Strangeland' in 2012. This single was tied to the film 'A Monster Calls,' showcasing the band's ability to craft poignant music for visual storytelling while re-establishing their presence in the alternative rock scene.

How many songs are on Tear Up This Town?

Tear Up This Town has 1 track, running approximately 3 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Tear Up This Town

Keane · 2016

3 min · 1 track · alternative rock

An emotive piano-driven anthem that merges haunting melodies with a soaring vocal performance, encapsulating themes of resilience and hope.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Tear Up This Town (Original Song From "A Monster Calls") — This track serves as the centerpiece of the album, blending cinematic urgency with Keane's characteristic introspective lyrics and lush arrangements, making it emblematic of their style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The song effectively combines emotive melodies and strong vocals, creating a memorable anthem tied to its film context.

What we noticed

The song features a prominent piano melody that drives the arrangement, with layered strings and percussion building throughout.
The vocal delivery is characterized by a wide dynamic range, moving from soft verses to a powerful chorus.
The structure follows a traditional verse-chorus format, with an emotional bridge that heightens the song's impact before the final chorus.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Marks Keane's return after hiatus, contributing to their ongoing relevance.
Themes: cinematic storytelling· childhood fears· emotional resilience
Career context: Released in 2016, 'Tear Up This Town' marked Keane's return after a three-year hiatus following their album 'Strangeland' in 2012. This single was tied to the film 'A Monster Calls,' showcasing the band's ability to craft poignant music for visual storytelling while re-establishing their presence in the alternative rock scene.
Stylistic neighbors: Snow Patrol· Coldplay· Travis