Minneapolis-based artist Mary Strand is a storyteller at heart, binging together her passion for songwriting, novel writing and adventurous living into her own creative voice. Making her debut in 2022 with a string of compelling singles, she released her debut album, Golden Girl, the following year. Now, with her sophomore record on the horizon, Mary Strand is set to continue making a name for herself in the world of rock music.
Developing her sound alongside her band, Mary Strand & The Garage, Mary is now joined by the talents of Ryan Smith on guitar and vocals, Mark Wade on bass and vocals and her own son, Jack Strand, on drums. This group has been instrumental in shaping Mary’s sonic output and their collaboration has matured into a cohesive, truly impressive endeavour.
Their work together on Mary’s upcoming album, I Don’t Need Your Permission, showcases the group’s shared vision, drawing on garage rock, punk rock and power pop stylings. Bringing us her latest release, the album’s lead single, “Take Your Time,” released via Hygh Tension Records/Virgin Music Group, opens this exciting new chapter in Mary Strand’s musical story.
Written as part of an online songwriting challenge, “Take Your Time” was born from a creative exercise with the prompt “strut.” Initially dismissing the word as outdated, Mary reimagined it through the lens of a Wall Street-esque character striding down Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, basking in the euphoria of success. However, she chose to tell the story from the perspective of his partner, flipping the context in a way that’s at once unexpected and engaging.
The result is a track dripping in gritty rock swagger, built on grooving riffs, stomping rhythm and slick, bluesy guitar leads capped by Mary’s commanding vocal performance. Jumping straight into a crunchy rock scene, the burst of guitar licks, bold chords and punching drums are met with catchy vocal leads, building towards an anthemic chorus brimming with rousing rock energy and instantly catchy hooks.
Putting her songwriting flair and vocal talent on full display, as well as the musicianship panache of her band on full display, with “Take Your Time,” Mary Strand serves up a lively and completely timeless rock jam. With her highly anticipated second album on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what comes next for this talented artist.
Listen to Take Your Time below
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