Mary Strand – Take Your Time (2025)

A Nutella-sneaking musician who writes novels, sings songs, and goes on “ill-advised adventures”, Mary Strand is that creative lady who laughs, jokes and has fun whatever the weather. Following her critically acclaimed 2023 debut album, Golden Girl, solo artist Strand found the blissful lull of acoustic music; however, it was 2024’s ‘I Wanna Believe’ that led to a heavier, punky collaboration. This is my introduction to Mary Strand, so join me as we dive into her new single ‘Take Your Time’ with a tub of Nutella and an eager ear.

Following the well-received ‘I Wanna Believe’, ‘Take Your Time’ drags listeners back a few decades to 90s punk and alternative rock. Produced with Ryan Smith and Mark Wade, the new single is a sophisticated intertwining of old-school sounds, but with a lingering indie-rock youthfulness clinging to the edges. An evolution of Strand’s sound, ‘Take Your Time’ is an enigmatic solidification of Mary Strand & The Garage as a punk-powered musical force.

Typically, a punk rock distortion exists with the punk rock-esque sound: the crashing of drums lying alongside soaring guitars and gritty vocals. Yet, just as each element demands attention in the single, their individuality unites everything in a harmonic symphony. Featuring Jack Strand (drums), Mark Wade (bass), Ryan Smith (guitar), and Mary Strand on guitars and vocals, each person brings diversity to the powerful rush of music.

While the melody has a duality about it as a harmonic cacophony of instruments, including the grittiness of Mary Strand’s vocals, its dualism is enhanced by the track’s theme. Delving into the world of relationships, ‘Take Your Time’ travels from the protagonist’s “top of the world strutting” to an unfortunate spiral of vulnerable tragedy and loss. A break-up song in the grand scheme of things, but, as Strand explains, “…the happiest break-up song you’ve ever heard…”

Sincere and endearing, but simultaneously a frenzied kick of kaleidoscopic chaos, ‘Take Your Time’ oozes intimacy while feeding on raw insanity. For me, ‘Take Your Time’ is an intriguing introduction to Mary Strand – an artist I highly recommend! I cannot wait for her forthcoming album, I Don’t Need Your Permission.

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Find out more about Mary Strand on her Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.

This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator

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