Richard BodinA superband is always an exciting thing to discover. You take accomplished talents from different backgrounds, bring them together, and see what new magic they can create. Despite a name that might suggest a solo act, Arthur Buck is in fact a super-duo. Singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur and R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, first joined forces in 2017. Their self-titled debut in 2018 was a solid record—two artists still learning how to merge their distinct styles. Now, with Arthur Buck 2, they return with a deeper sense of chemistry and a clearer expression of their shared vision.
Who is Arthur Buck?
For those who don’t know, Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter, painter, and poet known for his haunting voice, introspective lyrics, and inventive approach to sound. He was discovered by Peter Gabriel in the mid-1990s and signed to his Real World label. Arthur quickly stood out for blending folk and rock with layered loops and ambient textures. Across a prolific career—spanning acclaimed albums like Come to Where I’m From and Redemption’s Son—he’s built a reputation as both a restless creative spirit and a fiercely independent artist, equally at home with raw acoustic confessionals and expansive, experimental productions.
Peter Buck is an American guitarist, songwriter, and producer best known as the co-founder and musical backbone of R.E.M., one of the most influential bands of the alternative rock era. With his distinctive guitar sound—rooted in chiming arpeggios and rich textures—Buck helped define the sonic identity of R.E.M. Beyond his work with the band, he’s remained a tireless collaborator and champion of independent music. Lately he has been collaborating with with Luke Haines for a few albums.
Arthur and Buck’s story goes back to the early 2000s, when Joseph Arthur opened for R.E.M. on tour. During that period, the two struck up a friendship, and Buck would occasionally join Arthur on stage. After R.E.M. disbanded, Buck launched the Todos Santos Music Festival in Mexico with his wife, where Arthur performed in 2016—and accidentally left a guitar behind. When he returned the following year to retrieve it, Buck invited him over. The pair then began jamming on ideas they’d each been developing. Those impromptu sessions led to their first collaborative album, and, satisfied with the chemistry, the pair continued recording together—culminating in the release of Arthur Buck 2.
More Personal
Visually, the record instantly reconnects with Joseph Arthur’s artistic universe. The cover art, painted by Arthur himself, returns to the vibrant, surreal aesthetic that defines much of his visual work. Where their first album’s simple portrait marked a break from that tradition, Arthur Buck 2 feels more personal—visually and musically.
From the opening track, “Everywhere,” Buck’s unmistakable guitar chime sets the tone. His arpeggios ring out with warmth and space, soon joined by Arthur’s ragged, emotive voice and waves of organ synth. The sound feels lived-in and confident—a duo now completely at ease in their shared language.
“Fall in Love With Me” kicks in with a gritty guitar intro and a distorted vocal, building around a driving rhythm and looping synths that create a hypnotic pulse. “Average Ghost” leans into a stranger, more experimental space, beginning in muffled tones and closing with a chaotic, tape-warped finish that sounds like a cassette on the edge of snapping.
Culmnating Middle
There’s no shortage of strong guitar moments throughout. “Sleep With One Eye Open” rides a shimmering riff with an almost Britpop energy, while “Don’t Try to Understand It” stands among the album’s highlights. Its cyclical chords, haunted vocal delivery, and muffled bassline recall some of Arthur’s best early-2000s work, all elevated by Buck’s intuitive accompaniment.
Another standout, “Muscle Shoals,” blends slow-burning rhythm with lush vocal harmonies and luminous guitar solos—its mood evocative and deeply human. “Love at First Sight” is lighter and more melodic, anchored by Arthur’s plaintive tone and Buck’s fluid, irresistible riff. It’s another high point—one of those tracks that quietly lingers long after it fades.
Elsewhere, “Pow” delivers an energetic jolt with its electric intro and faster pace, even if it feels more like a transitional burst than a defining moment. “Where Did You Go” and “No Answer” both feature strong ideas—jangly guitars, fuzzed-out vocals—but take their time to unfold. The closer track,= “Not So Modern Now” , is a slow-burning lament, built around Buck’s arpeggios and Arthur’s ghostly voice, climaxing in a beautifully unrestrained solo. A short hidden track of stray chords ends the album on a playful, human note.
Finak Thoughts
Arthur Buck 2 is an engaging, electric-leaning record that captures the best qualities of both artists: Buck’s shimmering textures and Arthur’s layered, looping imagination. It reconnects Joseph Arthur with some of his finest creative instincts from the mid-noughties, while giving Buck’s guitar another worthy canvas. The result isn’t revolutionary—and at times, it drags slightly—but it’s a genuine, heartfelt collaboration between two musicians who have found real common ground.
