Tyler Ballgame arrived with something to prove, and ‘For the First Time, Again’ delivers on every bit of it. The debut album from the Los Angeles-based, Rhode Island-raised singer and songwriter landed in late January on Rough Trade, backed by serious industry buzz and a wave of strong notices from critics who recognize the real thing when they hear it.
The record earns that attention. Produced by Jonathan Rado (Foxygen, The Killers, Miley Cyrus) and Ryan Pollie (Los Angeles Police Department), ‘For the First Time, Again’ moves between the wide-open romantic sweep of “I Believe in Love” and the bluesier, aching pull of “You’re Not My Baby Tonight” with impressive range. Ballgame’s vocals carry undeniable echoes of Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley, but his delivery has its own weight and dimension. This is not imitation. It’s a voice that has lived something.
That backstory matters. Ballgame, born Tyler Perry, has navigated depression and stalled momentum to reach this moment, and the emotional honesty embedded in these songs reflects exactly that journey. The production is bright and generous, but the songs hold up without it.
For a recent WFUV “FUV Live” Marquee session recorded at the Bitter End, Ballgame scaled back with Max Woobs on piano and Clay Fuller on guitar and backing vocals, performing “I Believe in Love,” “Let You Down,” and “Matter of Taste.” Stripped down, the songs land just as hard.