Only Hinting by Clinic Stars (kranky)

Clinic Stars
Only Hinting
kranky

If you want to wallow in the depths of what pure unadulterated dream pop could be and have your arm outstretched, hoping to catch the glitter of a falling star as it turns into the diamonds of dreams nestled in perfect bedroom pop whimsy, look no further than to Clinic Stars’s first full-length album.

Only Hinting grabs at the glowing essence of dream pop and challenges the listener to escape within themselves into a world of emotion and calm that sometimes complements the natural world and sometimes makes us flee into another dimension. Both allows us to create our own story and appreciate this art for the intentional depth that lies within. Out of it emerges blurry-eyed memories and new feelings.

The industrial environment of Detroit feels like the perfect backdrop for introverted escapism and the modus operandi to make an album as delicate and lovely as Only Hinting. The doey-eyed artistry of Giovanna Lenski and Christian Molik form a collection of fragile and haunting songs with its lightweight meandering. The title track feels like a ghost story turned into a floating lullaby. It’s like they took the softest moments of Lush and made them softer. “Remain” spins around like they are waltzing through the universe. Its dreamlike qualities and lethargic whisperings are gorgeous.

“Thoughtless” sends us off with a time signature Low would appreciate. It’s the moment you wake up and rain drips down the window while you sink slowly back into the sheets and enjoy the moment for what it is. The tempo falls into an abyss that easily wraps back into the first song creating an infinity loop of thoughts. A beautifully haunting and individualistic album through and through.