Listen: Tyler Ballgame – ‘Live It Down’

Fresh from a series of summer shows across the globe supporting everyone from Alabama Shakes to The Lumineers to Belle and Sebastian, Tyler Ballgame shares a brand new single, the immeasurably catchy ‘Live It Down’. Ballgame, whose debut album For the First Time, Again dropped early this year, has had a whirlwind 2026, touring nonstop and winning accolades from the likes of Rolling Stone, NPR, NME, The Guardian, MOJO and more. The pace of the second half of the year promises to remain much like the first as Tyler Ballgame plays headline shows and festivals across the UK, Europe and North America.

‘Live It Down’ comes alongside a visualiser by Jayla Smith and was recorded with Jonathan Rado (Foxygen, Miley Cyrus, Weyes Blood) and Ryan Pollie (Los Angeles Police Department).

Ballgame explains of the song, “It’s about cannibalizing your life and relationships as a songwriter and is, in the gentlest of ways, a middle finger of a break-up song… however, I do subscribe to John Lennon’s quote when asked about writing diss tracks to McCartney, where he said “it’s always about me. I’m attacking myself.” The track itself was extremely fun to make and includes zither tape loops, and Ryan Pollie playing mic’d up furniture. It’s an excellent showcase of the energy of Amy and Wayne’s special drum and bass connection and is glued together by Ryan and Rado’s unique textural production choices.”

For the First Time, Again was recorded with acclaimed indie producer-multi-instrumentalists Jonathan Rado (Foxygen, Miley Cyrus, Weyes Blood) and Ryan Pollie (Los Angeles Police Department). Known as unapologetic “analog fetishists,” Rado and Pollie shape the sonics of Ballgame’s work with propulsive acoustic guitar, soulful rhythms, colorful keyboards, occasional horns, and lush harmonies, all rendered with the same recording technology as in classic albums of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Drummer Amy Aileen Wood (Fiona Apple) and bassist Wayne Whitaker contribute mightily to the pulse and character of the album.

On For the First Time, Again, Tyler Ballgame and his talented circle of fellow music-makers enthusiastically offer listeners songs to fill them with hope, acceptance, delirious happiness, and support for rough roads ahead. For healing to occur, Ballgame offers, “We need to dissolve into experience.” With its gorgeous melodies, wise invocations, irrepressible – and sometimes mischievous – generosity of spirit, and THAT VOICE, For The First Time, Again is in itself an amazing experience.

Stream / download ‘Live It Down’ here.
Stream / download For the First Time, Again here.