The nom de plume of punky Chicago-based singer/songwriter Deanna Belos, Sincere Engineer’s spirited blend of fiery punk-pop, emo, and folk invokes names like Lawrence Arms, Direct Hit!, Real Friends, Hop Along, and Waxahatchee. Belos cut her teeth in the Windy City’s D.I.Y. folk-punk scene, playing mostly acoustic. In 2016 she was picked up by influential Chicago punk label Red Scare Industries and headed into the studio with producer Matt Jordan (You Blew It!, Signals Midwest) and a full band. The resulting Rhombithian, a hook-filled blast of nervy yet amiable punk confections, arrived in October 2017. ~ James Christopher Monger