Mary Strand - I Don’t Need Your Permission (2025)

A celebration of personal empowerment and individuality, “I Don’t Need Your Permission” is a resonating new single from Mary Strand, representing the final single from her upcoming album. Catching our ears in recent months with tracks like “Costa Rica” and “Least of All Her,” Mary Strand continues to strut a strong vein of songwriting that balances personal introspection and hooky rock immediacy. “I Don’t Need Your Permission” represents her most personal release yet from the album, which also emphasizes themes of empowerment, for women in particular.

While those past singles embraced a balance of punk and rock, “I Don’t Need Your Permission” assumes a more ’80s inspiration: Prince’s New Wave sound. The throwback appeal of LinnDrum textures pair with soaring guitar twangs and an invigorating vocal lead, leading seamlessly into a title-touting ardency. Complementing Ryan Smith on guitar, LinnDrum, and backing vocals are bassist Mark Wade and Jack Strand on acoustic drums. The release has us fully anticipating Mary Strand’s upcoming album, releasing on August 1st, with an album release party being a day before, at The Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis.

Invigorating guitar drums and steady rhythms drive into opening lyrical prowess, where Strand recounts her eclectic interests and hats growing up — from being “a geek with a brainiac twist” to a musician and athlete. “I’ve given up theorems, to learn this lick,” she sings at one point, embracing a musician’s identity while still noting a reverence for everything from sports to academia. The main chorus’ central focus — “So don’t try to give me advice / ‘Cause I don’t need your permission” —