Poems of Consumption is a song cycle that uses poetry published in Amazon customer reviews inspired by Mark Fisher’s Capitalist Realism. The poetry covers themes like ennui, overconsumption, heartbreak, boycotts, and orientalism, while the compositions juxtapose the romanticism evoked by a string quartet, with hyper-pop electronica created out of the sounds of consumerism (crumpling cellophane, bubble wrap, unboxing, ripping plastic etc.). With compositions by H Sinno (Mashrou Leila), Andy Butler (Hercules and Love Affair), poetry by H Sinno and Jimin Seo (Changes Press) and string arrangements by Paul Stroud.

Hamed Sinno is a composer, writer, performer, and social justice advocate based in New York. Their research explores the vocal organ, and digital vocality as sites of political negotiation. H writes and lectures about popular culture as engaged practice. They have been the lyricist and front-person for Mashrou Leila since 2008 and have been at the forefront of conversations around representation, free speech, and sexual liberty in the Middle East. H has a BFA from the Department of Architecture and Design at the American University of Beirut, and an MA in Digital Music from Dartmouth College. Their debut full-length opera, Westerly Breath, was in development at The Industry Los Angeles, and will open at the New York Met Museum in 2024. Their solo debut, Poems of Consumption, explores the overlaps of consumerism, mental illness, and environmental crisis. Poems of Consumption debuted at London’s Barbican Centre in July 2023.

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Photo Credit: Derrick Kakembo