Musically, it is a retro pop soul-tinged song that recalls Phil Spector's catalog, complete with guitar riffs and supporting vocals while its lyrics tell a sad love story.
Upon the release of its parent album, "Outta Time" received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics, who favored its overall sound and the singer's vocals.
[2] Musically, "Outta Time" is a retro Motown inspired love song,[3][4] that is styled in the genre of pop soul, which is reminiscent of the catalog of American recording artist Phil Spector.
"[3] Sam Johnson from So So Gay noted that the song, much like other Trouble tracks, plays as if it was in a vinyl or a "scratched up" compact disc.
[8] Upon the release of Trouble, "Outta Time" received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics, who praised its sound.
[8] Sam Lansky from the website Idolator classified it as one of the "instantly likable moments" in the album, and a "perfectly solid throwback".
[12][13] The video features Kills standing in front of a "cloudy" background, wearing different outfits,[3] which Sam Lansky from Idolator thought was "fierce fashion",[12] while she is also seen whipping her ponytail[3] and smoking a cigar[12] in other scenes.