Hamed Sinno Reflects on Neoliberal Despair in New Song ‘Trackmarks’

As part of his project ‘Poems of Consumption’, Hamed Sinno has released a live performance of his new song ‘Trackmarks’. The former Mashrou’ Leila frontman and activist has been working on this live performance project for a while, in which he reflects on consumerism, environmental collapse and mental illness.

The song was released with a live performance at the Barbican Centre in London, featuring Hamed Sinno along with a string quartet. The performance included disturbing visuals and striking imagery tackling consumerism and neo-liberal despair, serving as a backdrop for Hamed to recite his poem.

The song ‘Trackmarks’ is a striking poem inspired by an incident Hamed Sinno encountered during his writing residency with Shubbak. Hamed was visiting the Museum of Neoliberalism and on his way back on the train, a civilian attempted suicide, causing the train to be late. Hamed Sinno observed the reactions of the passengers, as rage and ire spread among them. Hamed reflects on how their reactions was directed at the man himself, not the conditions of life and structures that led the man to suicide.