CAITLIN | “Outline”
Haunting indie-folk single “Outline” captures the quiet courage of surrender and self-alignment.
Aotearoa singer-songwriter CAITLIN returns with “Outline”, a cathartic and intimate exploration of self-alignment, finding glimpses of clarity amongst heartache, and choosing life-reorienting change.
Blending organic textures and emotive instrumentation with a grounding rhythm,”Outline” moves through the trenches of emotional transformation. Heavy yet propulsive; vulnerable yet resolute. The song sits in the alternative indie-folk realm, carving out a space that is entirely CAITLIN’s own, with nods to the emotional depth of artist like Sufjan Stevens and Bon Iver.
As the first track she has executive produced, “Outline” marks a new chapter of creative direction for CAITLIN. Produced and engineered largely in her bedroom, CAITLIN worked with Will McGillivray (co-production and mixing) to bring the song’s world to life.
“Writing this song was a reminder that sometimes your body knows before your head does. I was writing about things I couldn’t quite admit to myself yet.”
Lyrically, one of the songs key metaphors is found in the line “You’re a fruitful vine, killing the hedge, and love won’t make a difference here”. CAITLIN alludes to a banana passionfruit vine that grew atop a hedge at her childhood home in Timaru, New Zealand. The vine grew beautiful, delicious fruit that she enjoyed but it was slowly overtaking the hedge and had to eventually be pulled down. The lyric reflects how beautiful things sometimes come at a greater cost and you can’t keep “cutting the hedge back” forever.
Following August’s “Wash”, “Outline” deepens CAITLIN’s reputation as one of Aotearoa’s most emotionally articulate emerging writers. Her upcoming body of work continues to trace themes of transformation, self-discovery, and becoming, setting the stage for an exciting chapter ahead.
“Outline” is available to stream and purchase on all platforms from 7th November 2025, leading into a forthcoming EP in 2026.
Catch CAITLIN live on the main stage at Electric Avenue 2026.