Since the summer, when Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks announced the reissue of their iconic debut album, “Buckingham Nicks,” in all forms for the first time in the U.S. since the early ‘80s, music fans and media outlets alike have been abuzz.

The 1973 album was released right before the duo joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974. The last reissue of the album was a 1981 vinyl and it has not been made available digitally or on CD, despite bootlegs that have appeared over the years. The subject of a reissue has come up several times but neither Buckingham or Nicks was able to fully commit to it.

The reissue marks Buckingham’s return to music for the first time since 2018, when he was officially dismissed from Fleetwood Mac after a conflict with Nicks. Buckingham then sued the band for losses on their tour. This killed many fans’ hope of a reunion between Buckingham and Nicks, but the dream managed to persist.

It all began in July, when both Buckingham and Nicks posted lyrics from their song “Frozen Love,” off of the 1973 album. This was followed by a joint post by the former lovers of a billboard in Los Angeles, announcing that the first single, “Crying In The Night,” from the reissue was officially available to stream. After “Crying In The Night,” the singles that followed were “Don’t Let Me Down Again” and “Frozen Love.”

The remastered version of the album features crystal-clear vocals and the distinct sound that would eventually become the signature of Fleetwood Mac. Over the last few years, Gen Z has learned to embrace the wonderful world and music of Stevie Nicks. With her infamous debut album now widely available, a new age of Nicks fans are able to see where it all began.

Songs like “Crying in the Night” and “Long Distance Winter” really allow for Nicks’s talent for songwriting and Buckingham’s impeccable ear for accompaniment to shine through, even as amateurs in the industry at the ages of 25 and 24.

“Buckingham Nicks” exposes the power of the pair. While they are both extremely talented in their own right, both Buckingham and Nicks can acknowledge the powerhouse they are when collaborating. This is clear in the remastered quality of their sound, truly showing the timelessness of the duo’s sound.

The album falls into the same kind of folk rock as The Doors, The Mamas and The Papas, Joni Mitchell and The Eagles; all who lived in Laurel Canyon and drew on the area’s scenery and the whirlwind romances of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Despite the album’s timeless sound, something about it pulls listeners back into that place and time, maintaining a feeling of innocence and projecting that onto the now legendary pair, before Fleetwood Mac, their fame, money and infidelity.

For the first time since the album’s release, Nicks and Buckingham are nearly reborn into their youth. The two met as high school students, but did not begin dating until they were in their 20s. “Buckingham Nicks” captures the raw sound of two young people in love sharing a passion for music and the unbridled potential that would later be seen in Fleetwood Mac albums.

Highlights other than the singles include the fourth track of the album, “Crystal,” which would later be featured on the soundtrack to the 1999 hit film “Practical Magic,” sung by Nicks. The slow three-minute love ballad sees Buckingham taking the reins, with Nicks adding the same sweet backing vocals and harmonies fans will recognize from Fleetwood Mac songs. The dreamy, flowing song makes a perfect first dance for at a wedding and captures the duo’s young love in its purest form. While the lyrics apply to Nicks, they also apply to the album as Buckingham sings: “…I have changed, oh, but you / You remain ageless.”

The following track, “Long Distance Winner,” a song spearheaded by Nicks, is also not to be overlooked. With the longing, yet resentful lyrics written about her relationship with Buckingham and the challenges that came with it, the combination of acoustic and electric guitar once again brings about the same sound later heard in albums by Fleetwood Mac. Between Nicks’ strong belt and Buckingham’s wailing electric guitar, the piece is irresistible.

The ninth track of the album, “Lola (My Love)” is a Buckingham-centered piece with a “Tusk” – esque bassline. From the playful sound to Buckingham’s smooth singing voice, the song is impossible not to dance to.

Despite the strong pieces of the album, some of the lyrics still come off as clumsy, making it clear that it is the work of two unknown amateur musicians. Yet, this reissue is worth the listen because of the incredible and unique sound that both artists bring to it. If you are a Fleetwood Mac fan, the later influence of both Nicks and Buckingham on the music of Fleetwood Mac is fascinating to recognize and hear for the first time.