SINGLE REVIEW: Stephen Wicks - Offended
At 73, Stephen Wicks is proving that age is no barrier to tackling modern issues with sharpness and style. His latest single, ‘Offended’, takes a wry, unapologetic jab at today’s hypersensitive culture, offering a no-holds-barred reflection on the constant outrage of modern society. Wicks doesn’t tiptoe around the subject—his lyrics are bold, pointed, and delivered with the kind of seasoned confidence that comes from a life spent observing, questioning, and, most importantly, speaking freely.
There’s a raw authenticity to ‘Offended’ that cuts through the noise. Wicks channels his frustration into something both biting and engaging, capturing the cultural tension around free speech and offence without descending into preachiness. Collaborating with renowned producer George Shilling—whose credits include the likes of Frank Turner and Ocean Colour Scene—the track feels polished and purposeful, elevating Wicks' sound with a clean yet powerful production that keeps the focus on his message.
The music itself strikes a balance between classic and contemporary, a refined backdrop that supports the song’s satirical bite. There’s a grit to Wicks’ delivery that’s impossible to ignore, his voice carrying both experience and defiance. Paired with a provocative music video that’s bound to stir debate, ‘Offended’ feels less like an attempt to shock and more like a challenge to reflect—a nudge to reconsider where the line between offence and free speech truly lies.
Wicks may have stepped into music later in life, but his passion burns bright. With ‘Offended’, he positions himself as both a keen observer and an unfiltered storyteller, unafraid to hold up a mirror to modern culture. Whether you agree with him or not, this track is bound to make you think—and isn’t that the mark of a great song?
