Sincere Engineer shares new single “Parting Gift” ft. Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms
Sincere Engineer’s Deanna Belos has marked her birthday with something special, a new track released via Hopeless Records, “Parting Gift” features Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms, a long-time inspiration for Chicago punk artist. The song offers a reflective take on her journey through music and life, blending her signature heartfelt lyrics with Kelly’s gravelly vocals for a track that feels deeply personal.
The collaboration feels particularly meaningful, as Kelly’s influence on Belos’s music has been a cornerstone of her career. His presence on the track adds not only a layer of vocal grit but a sense of full-circle achievement for Belos. The song balances raw vulnerability with a driving rhythm that captures the highs and lows of creative and personal challenges.
Talking about the release, Belos said:
“My new song ‘Parting Gift’ is a sort of confessional song about me being weird and about me navigating my relationship with music and navigating my life, the best I can with the knowledge and skills I have, which is sometimes not enough. I can't even begin to explain what an honour it is to have my biggest musical inspiration, Brendan Kelly from The Lawrence Arms, featured on this song!”
The track kicks off with an acoustic feel, letting Belos’s vocals take centre stage before building into a fuller, more dynamic sound. Kelly’s guest spot brings in a gritty contrast, his voice weaving with Belos’s to give the song an added punch. There’s a rawness to the instrumentation that complements the reflective tone without feeling overproduced or overly polished.
Fans of Sincere Engineer will have a chance to hear “Parting Gift” live soon, as she’s performing at the 10th Annual Taking Back Sunday Holiday Spectacular on 5 and 6 December. She’s also lined up several one-off shows in February, where no doubt the new track will make its way into the setlist.
“Parting Gift” feels like a milestone for Belos, a chance to celebrate not just another year but her growth as an artist. It’s a song that’s honest, a bit rough around the edges, and unapologetically true to her style. It’s streaming now, so give it a listen and see how this collaboration hits you.
Watch the video for “Parting Gift”:
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