It’s a time-honoured tradition for bands from America’s Deep South to declare a love for their roots: From the Allman Brothers to the Zac Brown Band, they’ve all done it.

On first listen, this Georgia three-piece is no different. However, these blink-and-you’ll-miss-it references to the cultural heritage of their homeland are few and far between. This is only a tiny portion of Blackjack Mountain’s DNA.

‘What I Need’ is a sure-fire radio banger that will get more than it’s a fair share of exposure. It’s a winning formula of fuzzed-out riffage, soulful vocals and a pedal-to-the-metal rhythm that will ensure that you arrive at your destination in double-quick time.

Elsewhere, Holding Time is awash with clichés to a backdrop of whiskey-drenched licks, bass kicks and a whole lotta attitude: “You know I like to party, and you know I kick some ass!” exclaims vocalist and guitarist, Tyler Bates, during the power chord bonanza of ‘River Flows’, while during ‘Loaded Gun’ he declares that “I’m feeling loose and [feeling] mean” with carefree gusto.

Amongst the retro-rock gumbo, there are also moments of reflection. The heart-on-the-sleeve pull of ‘Nevermore’ explores the darker side of life (“Death waits for me/Blackbird, hear my plea”) while ‘I Don’t Mind’ acknowledges, somewhat wistfully, of “drinking up my life, and burning down the town.”

In contrast, ‘Echoes of Time’ is an unexpected cosmic jam that ebbs and flows, before bursting into vintage heavy riffing. It’s a strong, if not explosive parting shot from a band whose best moments are yet to come.