Spotlight, featuring Sincere Engineer

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There is truly no end to what the Chicago music scene has to offer, from the city’s storied history in blues, hip hop, pop, rock, and yes, punk rock. I have espoused my love for the city’s punk scene a plethora of times on this blog so I’ll spare you the obsession.

Anyway, emo-pop punk outfit Sincere Engineer is one of the most promising, interesting, and engaging newer groups to emerge onto the scene in recent years, and it all comes from the absolute badass frontwoman Deanna Belos.

Originally formed as a solo act by Belos in 2015, Sincere Engineer now involves three of her good friends; Kyle Geib, Nick Arvanitis, and Adam Beck. Together, the quartet demolish heavy hitting, emo flavored melodic pop punk that is reminiscent of Alkaline Trio and The Lawrence Arms, both of which Belos cite as influences.

The first time I saw Sincere Engineer was at Wicker Park Fest in 2018 where they were one of the openers for Against Me!. Belos and her crew put on a great show and I immediately fell in love with the band.

About a year later I saw them again when they opened for the Smoking Popes, and yet again, they were spectacular. Seeing them live after they gained a bit more of a following really felt special; it was quite remarkable how fast they became popular within the scene. Dan Andriano of Trio has sung their praises on multiple occasions.

I actually got to meet Belos just as the Smoking Popes opened and she was so incredibly sweet and friendly. Now, three years later the band has two full length albums under their belts with no signs of stopping.

Their second album, last year's Bless My Psyche, is a delightful slice of emo-punk filled with super relatable lines and themes that any semi-depressed twenty-something can instantly relate to. I mean, come on. The title alone is a sarcastic nod at our fractured mental health statuses.

The standout track for me is “Coming in Last”; a blistering rager detailing the absolutely god awful traffic on I-90. Again, not only is it relatable, but it’s just fucking good. Taking cues from The Offspring's “Bad Habit”, the song quickly turns into a cacophony of crunchy guitars and thunderous drums.

If that doesn’t sell you on the album then I can’t help you because Sincere Engineer is just great. They’re equal parts angst, heart, honesty, and heartbreak that all add up to some killer tunes. I have spent the last four or so years blasting them on near repeat and I don’t see why I will ever stop.