If I'd never heard the beautiful voice of Tyler Ballgame, I'd likely have sought out this album because of the Jonathan Rado connection. The presence of that guy who's helped Foxygen, The Lemon Twigs, and Tchotchke would have aroused my interest. And, thankfully, For The First Time, Again is a delightful debut for this very special singer, and more than just a curiosity for fans of those acts I've named.
The slow build of the title cut, and the emotional release of the lead single, "I Believe in Love" make up a one-two punch to start this record. It's a gentle punch, but a precise one. Tyler Ballgame's voice is such a wonderful weapon. I don't see how a listener couldn't be at least a little moved by that instrument, especially on something like "Goodbye My Love", a gorgeous stunner here. With numbers here which seem to be drawing from a deep well of artists for inspiration -- Nilsson, Roy Orbison, Elliott Smith, George Harrison, John Lennon -- For the First Time, Again stands as one of the loveliest records of 2026 and it's only January.
At his best here, Tyler Ballgame veers between a Lennon-ish kind of balladry, and a more upbeat, late Sixties-ish style of rock. "Matter of Taste", for example, has a backing that wouldn't have sounded out of place behind some AM Radio hit in the mid Seventies. "Got a New Car" adds whimsy to the Ballgame recipe and it's further proof of the talent here. The music here behind Tyler's voice is simple enough in spots, and textured in others. Recorded with Jonathan Rado, this album has a vibe that's modestly lush. The vocals are centered forward in the mix, as you'd want, and the backing is just complex enough to give some heft to these cuts. I expect to hear much more from Tyler Ballgame in the future. For now, For The First Time, Again is enough. This Tyler Ballgame debut record provides so much pleasure that it deserves some raving from critics.
The debut album, For The First Time, Again by Tyler Ballgame will be out on January 30 on Rough Trade.
[Photo: El Hardwick]