music
January 29, 2026
Tyler Ballgame: For the First Time, Again review
(Rough Trade)The much-hyped LA singer – who has been compared to Tim Buckley, Elvis and more – certainly has a beautiful voice, though he can lean too eagerly on his influences
TL;DR
- Tyler Ballgame transitioned from playing in small Los Angeles bars to signing with Rough Trade within a year.
- He has been compared to numerous influential artists, including Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, and John Lennon.
- Ballgame's persona, inspired by 60s and 70s frontmen, emerged from his background in drama and a desire for self-expression.
- His debut album features a distinctive vocal style, blending a brooding croon with an emotive falsetto and theatrical enunciation.
- The album's sound, produced by Jonathan Rado, utilizes analogue methods and evokes 70s singer-songwriters.
- Ballgame's songwriting mixes earnest confessionals with artifice, drawing comparisons to artists like Michael Kiwanuka.
- The album has been praised for its melodies and vocal performances, suggesting a strong starting point for the artist.
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