Stephen Wicks’ upcoming single “The Doomsday Clock (85 Seconds to Midnight)” presents an apocalyptic vision of a world edging dangerously close to self-destruction. Released on 10 July, the song combines urgent lyricism, driving rock instrumentation and cinematic atmosphere to address some of humanity’s most pressing fears.
Wicks, now 74, has taken an unconventional path into music. After an extensive career as a corporate executive and property entrepreneur, he has reinvented himself as a singer-songwriter and is preparing to release his fifth single.
The inspiration behind the track comes from the famous Doomsday Clock bulletin published by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Its symbolic countdown serves as the foundation for Wicks’ commentary on climate change, nuclear threats, artificial intelligence and geopolitical tension.
Producer George Shilling, whose credits include Blur, Primal Scream and Steve Winwood, worked closely with Wicks on the release. Shilling has described the music as “a wake-up call set to music,” while lead guitar from Stefan Hauk adds further intensity to the recording.
With an accompanying official video set to capture the imagery of a relentless ticking clock, “The Doomsday Clock (85 Seconds to Midnight)” is designed to leave a lasting impression. For Wicks, the single is not only a creative milestone but a statement about the fragile future humanity must face.