The Voice 25 Recap – Let the Battles BEGIN (live blog and videos)
The Voice 25 Battle Rounds begin with the Top 40 artists split up into 10 teams on each–Team John Legend, Team Reba McEntire, Team Chance the Rapper and Team Dan + Shay. Each coach will pair up their artists for unforgettable duets. Carson Daly hosts
At the end of each Battle, the coach will choose a winner. The loser is eliminated, or can be stolen with another coach’s ONE steal. The Playoffs Pass is in play again. Each coach can use their ONE pass to save their own eliminated contestant. And it trumps the steal! The Playoffs pass artists move straight on to the Playoffs.
The Voice 25: Blind Auditions End, Vote for Your Favorite Artist
The Voice 2024: Full Season 25 Schedule
Team Legend – Bryan Olesen vs Nathan Chester – Rolling in the Deep by Adele
Bryan is in his 50s and is the oldest artist this season. He’s also the most famous–a member of the popular Christian band, Newsboys. Nathan and his wife met working as singers on a cruise boat. John feels they both have a “classic” vibe. John helped the two singers with their harmonies and phrasing. John believes that both singers have a chance to advance.
NBC previewed this Battle last week HERE. Bryan is a rock singer, while, Nathan brings a soul vibe. In James Brown style, Nathan begins the performance on one knee. It’s kind of cruise corny move. And a little awkward. Once the duet gets going, both light up the stage. Bryan is the standout here. His voice cuts through. However, some of his phrasing and enunciation is weird. But once they hit the harmonies at the end, they each meet the moment.
Reba compliments the harmonies and choreography. She doesn’t pick a winner. Chance thought Bryan showed more range this time. He also will not pick a winner. Dan compliments their vibrato. Shay liked the individual moments. John is mad because the other coaches won’t help him. He loved the physical interactions and commitment to refresh. John picks Nathan, Reba and Dan + Shay STEAL Bryan and then JOHN uses his Playoffs Pass That was dramatic.
Team Dan + Shay – Karen Waldrup vs Ryan Argast – Save me the Trouble by Dan + Shay
Karen has been knocking around Nashville for awhile. Ryan won the duo over with their song “Speechless.” He was a one chair turn. He’ll be covering Dan + Shay again! For years, he fronted a band. Shay helps Karen with her phrasing. He wants more solo moments. They help Ryan with his breathing.
It’s another genre combo. Karen is country, while Ryan is a soulful rock singer, He has Joe Cocker vibes, while Karen is also very soulful, which allows them to meet in the middle. It’s an evenly divided Battle, but Karen is the singer here with connections and experience. She’s probably going far.
John compliments the energy, passion and power. He likes Ryan’s rasp, but warns him not to yell. He loved Karen’s tone and vibrato. He would pick her. Dan + Shay blocked Reba. She calls them a great duet. Chance thought the energy was mismatched. Ryan was more passionate. The duo loved the way they sang their song. Dan + Shay pick Karen, Ryan is Eliminated
Team Reba – Tae Lewis vs L. Rogers – We Don’t Fight Anymore by Carly Pierce and Chris Stapleton
L Rogers is autistic, She was married to man, but eventually came to terms with being gay. Tae is a soulful country singer. Being a black country artist in Nashville has beens tough for Tae. Reba advises the singers to stay still and inhabit the character. By the end of rehearsal, all three are tearful.
L Rogers is a powerful singer, but Tae has a sweet, light, unique tone. He’s a classic country singer. The two connect in an unexpected way. Reba gave them smart advice to stay planted while they sing. That was powerful.
Ha ha. Chance never heard the song. As usual. He compliments Tae’s pitch and controle. He was mesmerised with both. Dan + Shay can’t pick a winner. John can’t imagine either going home. He would chose Tae. Reba compliments their duet. Reba picks Tae, L Rogers is stolen by Chance. But Reba uses her Playoff Pass. L Rogers will go straight to the Playoffs
Team Chance – Gabriel Goes vs Kamalei Kawa’a – Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo?ole
Both singers are from Hawaii. Gabriel is a surfer dude, with Brazilian roots while Kamalei can trace his ancestry on the islands over centuries. Kamalei is from Maui, and he shares his thoughts about the wildfires there last summer. Gabriel is a one chair turn. Chance spends considerable time producing the performance, attending to even the smallest details.
Both singers perform with soft tones that blend nicely. Gabriel needs to work on his breath and pitch. Kamalei sings with more control over his instrument. Neither are powerhouse vocalists, but Kamalei sings with precision. However Gabriel is fun to watch. He’s animated.
Shay loves Gabriel’s energy. Dan thought both had good individual moments. John appreciates Gabriel’s charisma, but Kamalei is his favorite. Reba loves Kamalei round smooth voice. Chance respects how Kamalei brought the song to life. Chance picks Kamalei, Gabriel is eliminated
Team Legend – OK3 vs Zoe Levert – The Bones by Maren Morris
Zoe is a one chair turn, while the trio OK3 turned 4 chairs. John thinks the song choice is a good meeting of all the singers’ styles. Zoe was about to get married at the time the show was filmed (last summer). Her husband is also a musician. The trio aren’t related, but they have known each other a long time. John wants to change the trio’s harmonies. Make it sound less CORNY John.
John turned for Zoe at the very last minute. The country coaches weren’t interested in her. Her voice is soft and pitchy sometimes. If she were on American Idol, Katy would be yelling at her to give more. OK3 are having an easy time out-singing and overpowering her. Really, Zoe is fodder for Team John.
Reba calls Zoe’s voice strong, and loved OK3’s harmonies. Zoe surprised Chance. He would pick her. Dan felt like Zoe stepped up. OK3 blew Shay away with their harmonies. He would pick the trio. John felt like the singers bonded. John picks Zoe. OK3 are eliminated. I’m surprised. Zoe delivered a marginal performance.
Team Reba – Alyssa Crosby vs Asher Havon – We Don’t Need Another Hero by Tina Turner
Borth artists confess the other intimidates them. Alyssa was a one chair turn. The singer is a recovering alcoholic. Her life has improved. She’s engaged. In early rehearsal, Reba felt there was too much “scatting.” Alyssa closes her eyes too much, she says. Reba suggests Asher pull off the mic. Asher, a 3 chair turn. grew up in the church and struggled with coming out gay.
The performance got off to slow start, but once they harmonized on the chorus, the song really opened up. The harmonies are better than the solos. It’s hard to pick a winner. Alyssa oversings somewhat, but she’s a powerhouse. Asher has great tone.
Chance compliments Asher’s tone and control. He thinks Alyssa got off to a slow start, but eventually kept up. He’d choose Asher. Shay feels Alyssa stepped up. John says, “That was so so good.” Reba picks Asher, Chance STEALS Alyssa. That was a surprise, considering how he favored Asher. But Alyssa going “neck and neck” with Asher impressed him.
