Though relatively new to New Brunswick’s rock scene, The Crossroad Devils are already carving out a name for themselves by playing shows across the Maritimes, including the well-fitting Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton. Now from the five-piece group comes an all-new EP, ‘Snacks.’

The four-track EP is pure, bluesy fun. Each song is powered by gritty, slurring vocals and wailing keys and guitar. The production has a seemingly intentional worn quality to it. It’s unpolished in a way that only adds to the vibe the band is going for. The listening experience would lend itself well to vinyl, reminiscent of sprawling on the floor with old, scratched records.

Because of these qualities, the EP has a timeless feel. It’s got a sound that’s going to hold its ground as the years drag on. The fast-paced rhythm of the opening track, ‘That’s Alright’, has the makings of an instant classic. The melody follows a lot of structural trends from a lot of the rock that came out of the 70’s, but it does a great job of keeping it fresh and fun.

Emphasis on instrumentals carries itself throughout the EP. Every song has its instrumental breaks to show off the musical talent of the rest of the band. However, the further down the tracklist you go, the breaks become longer and much less structured.

Particularly the last song, ‘Moonshine Cafe’, has a sprawling solo that sounds like it was ripped straight from an improvised jam session between the band. It results in this effortless feeling, and also the uncanny notion that the song is going to somehow sound different through each listen.

Sadly this EP is not available on vinyl, a medium that would only do it justice. However, it is available for streaming and purchase on the band’s Bandcamp page.

The Crossroad Devils: FACEBOOK | BANDCAMP