When Sincere Engineer entered the studio to begin recording their fourth full-length album, they were already building on a foundation primed for success. Tracking the record entirely at Chicago’s Electrical Audio – the studio of the late Steve Albini and the origin of hundreds of revered independent releases, the band tapped into a space synonymous with unfiltered artistry. The result: Probable Claws (leave it to Sincere Engineer to pull a punny title out of the hat), a record that solidifies her punk-fueled catalogue as a formidable quartet. As Sincere Engineer frontwoman Deanna Belos continues to mine the deeply introspective terrain of her past work, the question remains: how does this latest chapter measure up? For starters, it leans into a thematic core that feels relatably universal, especially for anyone who has felt the pressure of life’s eternal ticking clock.
“I think the overall theme of this record is being uncomfortable with the passing of time and how quick time passes,” Belos shares. “Not all the songs touch on that, there’s some songs about me moving too fast through life myself.” That sentiment pulses through the album’s lead single, “Cooler,” which landed on streaming platforms in March. The track stands as...
When Sincere Engineer entered the studio to begin recording their fourth full-length album, they were already building on a foundation primed for success. Tracking the record entirely at Chicago’s Electrical Audio – the studio of the late Steve Albini and the origin of hundreds of revered independent releases, the band tapped into a space synonymous with unfiltered artistry. The result: Probable Claws (leave it to Sincere Engineer to pull a punny title out of the hat), a record that solidifies her punk-fueled catalogue as a formidable quartet. As Sincere Engineer frontwoman Deanna Belos continues to mine the deeply introspective terrain of her past work, the question remains: how does this latest chapter measure up? For starters, it leans into a thematic core that feels relatably universal, especially for anyone who has felt the pressure of life’s eternal ticking clock.
“I think the overall theme of this record is being uncomfortable with the passing of time and how quick time passes,” Belos shares. “Not all the songs touch on that, there’s some songs about me moving too fast through life myself.” That sentiment pulses through the album’s lead single, “Cooler,” which landed on streaming platforms in March. The track stands as a quintessential example of Sincere Engineer’s signature brand of cathartic, angst-fueled punk, refined, yet no less urgent. And while Belos’ audience now stretches to a global scale, her sound remains grounded in a gritty, blue-collar ethos, undeniably shaped by her Chicago, Illinois roots. “We set out to make a very straight forward pop punk record,” Belos says, before noting that fans can still expect a handful of Sincere Engineer’s characteristically poignant ballads woven throughout.
Make no mistake: Probable Claws is a no-skip listen. Across 11 tracks, the album is meticulously sequenced to grip from the outset, kicking off with the commanding “Twist My Tongue” and closing on “Dynamite,” a finale that lands with emotional weight. A well-placed Bad Religion nod on “LOL” only deepens the records’ relatability level, bridging generational gaps within the punk community. Of course, every album has its emotional centerpiece, and here, Belos delivers it in “Arborvitae Evergreen.” “It’s my favorite,” she shares. “It’s kind of the song I’ve been telling people I wrote for myself. It’s about the backyard of the house I grew up in. When we recorded it, I was so stoked with how well it came out.. it takes me back to that place.”
All-in-all, Probable Claws finds Belos sitting in some of her strongest writing yet, wielding her sharpest pen, and laying her heart out on the table. “I’m excited for the new chapter of SE. We’ve done so much touring with so many amazing bands that we all look up to. I can’t believe we’re on our fourth record and we’re excited to get on tour and play the new songs live. The recording process was a dream — Electrical Audio is an incredible studio, literally one of the best in the world. We were very excited and fortunate we got to make the record there!”
