"Early Winter" is a song by American singer-songwriter Gwen Stefani from her second studio album, The Sweet Escape (2006). Written by Stefani and English pianist Tim Rice-Oxley, the song was released in Europe as the album's fifth and final single on January 18, 2008 by Interscope Records. Musically, "Early Winter" is a soft rock and synthpop ballad with new wave influences. Critics found it similar to songs by English alternative rock band Keane.