Five years since he first came with his cool, crooning vocal style, Arthur Nery returns with his much-awaited second full-length album with the simple but apt titled “II: The Second.”

Of course, five years is a long time for a hit album follow-up, and common sense dictates to strike while the iron is hot. However, Arthur hasn’t exactly been idle all that while. In that span of time, he’s released enough singles to whet his listener’s appetite. 

Think of it this way: If his groundbreaking debut set “Letters Never Sent” - with its slow burn hits such as “Binhi” and “Higa” - laid the foundation, the subsequent off-album singles are the framework in which he built the house of Arthur Nery — an abode where he’s the reigning king of cool and master.

In case you haven’t been listening out from under the rock that you’ve been holed in, the songs “Pagsamo,” “Take All The Love,” “Isa Lang,” and “Pelikula” (not necessarily in that order) established Arthur as the biggest R&B solo artist of his age. No easy feat, not when the Zack Tabudlo’s, JK Labajo’s and Adie’s of the scene ply in and around the same route (and can certainly be argued that the aforementioned are in an entirely different genre altogether).

But there you go, Arthur Nery, the singer and soul-stirring emancipator of Pinoy-borne neo-soul. You think he's just singing R&B, but he has your head and heart in sight. His blasters are set to stun not with damage as his intent.

Which brings us to Arthur Nery’s “II: The second,” which slides off to a cool start with a brand new original in “Na Naman.” I can just imagine the guy walking into a room and flooring every girl in the room (and some admiring males, too, maybe) with his falsetto. Arthur’s at his best when he displays his vulnerability. Chicks can’t say no to a lost, hurt puppy, and this song is the sonic equivalent of puppy dog eyes decked out in soulful R&B garb. On “I Gotchu,” AR turns sly-tongued Romeo amidst tinkling pianos and sax. And continuing with our doggie reference, this puppy just exposed his bare belly for his hooman to rub. Lil’ Arthur wants a sexy time.

Inviting guests to his house, Arthur brings rap artist Kiyo, who puts a sedate rap break on the lo-fi flavored chill of this Nery and Yukihiro Rubio-written tune. Likewise, on acoustic pop-flavored “Lullaby,” which features Jolianne (Salvador), who trades verses and also shares co-writing credits with Nery. Over past releases, Arthur has been showing his jazzy influences, and it’s on full display in peppy, perky “Get Going.” But the singer is mindful enough not to go all “jazz” and juxtaposes a crisp rap element, delivered here by rap act Jon.

Arthur reserves his best moments on the album solo. On “Nasa’king Damdamin,” Nery taps into some “Pagsamo” magic on this slow, soul-tinged, and almost bluesy song about being in relationship limbo, i.e., missing someone so much it hurts.

And talking about mastery of style, Arthur Nery puts the romp n’ bump in R&B on slow grooving “Foolish” and puts that mighty falsetto on full-framed display. Lastly, Arthur’s “Paalam Lang Ang Palagi” is a fine ballad that should be in every true blue fan’s playlist. And just like his first, Arthur Nery keeps his songs to an even ten tracks with pre-album release singles “o, ninanais” and “Segundo, Siguro” rounding off the set.

Whereas the first album was about what he could do, “II: The  Second” is all about Arthur, showing how good he can be consistent.