What makes This Is the Last Time by Keane notable?

The single documents Keane just before their commercial breakthrough. A later 2004 release of “This Is the Last Time” reached number 18 on the UK Singles Chart, as Hopes and Fears brought the piano-led band to a much wider audience. This three-track single appeared on Fierce Panda in 2003, before Keane signed to Island Records and released their debut album, Hopes and Fears, in 2004. Both the title track and “Can’t Stop Now” later appeared on that album, while “Allemande” remained a companion to the single.

How many songs are on This Is the Last Time?

This Is the Last Time has 3 tracks, running approximately 11 minutes.

This Is the Last Time

Keane · 2003

11 min · 3 tracks · alternative rock

Piano drives these early Keane recordings forward while Tom Chaplin’s voice gives their restless pop-rock an expansive emotional reach.

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Top tracks — play these first

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This Is the Last Time — Chaplin’s soaring vocal and Tim Rice-Oxley’s driving piano turn a declaration of finality into an urgent pop song. It offers an early glimpse of the sound Keane would take to a larger audience.
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Can’t Stop Now — Its forward motion suits a song about pushing onward despite uncertainty. Its later appearance on Hopes and Fears connects this early single directly to the debut album.
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Allemande — The single’s third track offers a chance to hear beyond the two songs that carried over to the debut album, rounding out this snapshot of Keane’s pre-breakthrough period.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases solid songwriting and production, but its impact is limited to its genre and time.

What we noticed

The title track features a gradual build-up, starting with soft piano and layering in strings and percussion as it progresses.
The second track introduces a more upbeat tempo, contrasting with the emotional weight of the first track while maintaining a similar melodic style.

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

Influence 4/10

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: Breakthrough — It capitalizes on the momentum from their successful debut album, Hopes and Fears.
Themes: UK alternative rock· melancholic piano melodies
Career context: This three-track single appeared on Fierce Panda in 2003, before Keane signed to Island Records and released their debut album, Hopes and Fears, in 2004. Both the title track and “Can’t Stop Now” later appeared on that album, while “Allemande” remained a companion to the single.
Stylistic neighbors: Snow Patrol· Coldplay· Travis