Chicago punk outfit Sincere Engineer has released its fourth studio album, ‘Probable Claws’, on June 26. The announcement follows the release of the band’s latest single, “Twist My Tongue,” and marks the beginning of a new chapter for the group following 2023’s Cheap Grills.
Led by vocalist and songwriter Deanna Belos, Sincere Engineer recorded the new album at Chicago’s Electrical Audio, the renowned studio founded by the late Steve Albini that has served as the recording home for numerous influential independent releases. The sessions produced an 11-song collection centered on themes of time, change, and the uncertainty that accompanies both.
According to Belos, the primary thread connecting the album’s material is an examination of the passage of time and the discomfort that can accompany it. While individual songs approach the subject from different perspectives, the record as a whole reflects on personal growth, memory, and the challenge of navigating life’s accelerating pace.
The album’s rollout began in March with the release of “Cooler,” a track that reaffirmed the band’s blend of direct, emotionally driven songwriting and melodic punk arrangements. “Twist My Tongue,” which opens the forthcoming album, continues in that tradition while establishing the tone for the record’s broader themes. With the Release of the new album, the band has released their newest single, ‘Fast Forward, Rewind’ accompanied by a music video which can be watched below.
Twist My Tongue
Cooler
Pilot Light
DNA
LOL
Fast Forward, Rewind
Hallucinogenic
Arborvitae Evergreen
The Perfect Crime
Settle Up With Your Downfall
Dynamite
Despite an expanding audience built through years of extensive touring, Sincere Engineer remains closely connected to the Chicago punk scene that shaped its identity. Belos has described the band’s intention for Probable Claws as creating a straightforward pop-punk record while maintaining the introspective songwriting and occasional quieter moments that have become hallmarks of the project.
Among the songs highlighted by Belos is “Arborvitae Evergreen,” a composition inspired by memories of the backyard of her childhood home. The album concludes with “Dynamite,” bringing the 11-song collection to a close after what the band describes as a carefully sequenced listening experience.
In support of Probable Claws, Sincere Engineer will embark on an extensive North American headline tour beginning in July, with dates spanning the United States and Canada. The band makes their Seattle stop on July 13th, get tickets here. As the band makes their way for an appearance at Riot Fest in Chicago this September.
With Probable Claws, Sincere Engineer returns with its first full-length release in three years, continuing to explore personal narratives through the lens of contemporary punk songwriting while further expanding the scope of the band’s sound and perspective.
The Probable Claws Tour
June 25th: Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
July 8th: Iowa City, IA – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
July 10th: Denver, CO – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
July 11th: Salt Lake City, UT – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
July 13th: Seattle, WA – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
July 14th: Portland, OR – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
July 16th: San Francisco, CA – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
July 17th: San Diego, CA – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
July 18th: West Hollywood, CA – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
July 19th: Phoenix, AZ – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
July 21st: Dallas, TX – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
July 22nd: Austin, TX – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
July 24th: Nashville, TN – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
July 25th: St. Louis, MO – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
August 21st: Oklahoma City, OK – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
August 22nd: Houston, TX – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
August 23rd: New Orleans, LA – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
August 25th: Orlando, FL – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
August 26th: Jacksonville, FL – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
August 28th: Atlanta, GA – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
August 29th: Carrboro, NC – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
August 30th: Baltimore, MD – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
September 1st: Philadelphia, PA – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
September 2nd: Worcester, MA – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
September 3rd: Brooklyn, NY – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
September 4th: Asbury Park, NJ – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
September 6th: Montreal, QC – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
September 7th: Toronto, ON – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
September 9th: Buffalo, NY – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
September 10th: New Kensington, PA – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
September 11th: Cleveland Heights, OH – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
September 12th: Detroit, MI – The Probable Claws Headline Tour
September 18-20: Chicago, IL – Riot Fest
