The Voice 27 Recap – Let the Battles BEGIN (live blog and videos)
The Voice 27 Battle Rounds begin with the Top 48 artists split up into 12 teams on each–Team John Legend, Team Adam Levine, Team Michael Bublé and Team Kelsea Ballerini. 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. Each coach gets one steal and one save to use during the round. Eight artists on each team/a Top 32 will advance to the Knockout Round.
The Voice 27 Battle Round Celebrity Advisors Revealed
The Voice 2025: Full Season 27 Schedule
This season, each coach will work with a celebrity advisor. Team Legend partners with Coco Jones. Team Adam enlists Kate Hudson. Team Bublé works with Cynthia Erivo and Team Kelsea joins forces with Little Big Town.
Team Adam – Darius J. vs Britton Moore – Creep by Radiohead
The singers are surprised Adam paired them. But they are OK with it! Adam and Kate attended high school together! Britton is a pastor’s son and was into sports at school. However, he felt left out at times. Kate asks for more emotion. Adam agrees and decides to break out the acoustic guitars for a more intimate performance. Darius fell into a dark place and struggled with addiction. He was homeless at one point. He calls Creep his “redemption song.” Kate advises not over-using runs.
NBC previewed this battle last week. Darius is theatrical. He puts his entire body into the performance. Britton brings his own flair. His superpower is his unique and crystalline tone. Their harmonies are off-kilter, but perfect for the Radiohead classic.
The entire panel is impressed. Kelsea and Michael hint they might steal the loser of the Battle. John is the only coach to pick a favorite–Britton. Adam shared how the arrangement took work and in the end he is “super proud.” Team Adam chooses Britton. Kelsea and Michael STEAL DARIUS. BUT THEN ADAM SAVES HIM. Darius stays on Team Adam
Team Legend – Kolby Cordell vs Pablo Herrera – Tacones Rojo by John Legend and Sebastián Yatra
Kolby sang “Never Too Much” by Luther Vandross, while Pablo sang Jealous for their Blind Audition. Pablo will sing the Spanish parts, while Kolby sings in English. John suggests the two loosen up and watch their breathing. Coco gives Kolby tips on how to sing his parts. She reminds them it’s a flirty song. Kolby co-parents a young son. Pablo sings a lot in Spanish. He sings more passionately in the language, he states.
The song gives Pablo a chance to show off his bilingual singing. The song pick favors him as Kolby doesn’t seem comfortable. His jam is retro R&B. For instance Pablo really shines on the rap part of the song. They do harmonize beautifully.
“That was for the ladies!” Kelsea thanks John. She calls Kolby’s voice a “warm hug.” She would go with him. Adam calls Kolby a “bad man.” Michael notes that what Pablo did was not easy. They speak to each other in Spanish for a bit. He compares Kolby’s voice to John’s – Team Legend picks Kolby. Pablo is eliminated. I’m a little surprised. Kolby’s ability to go with a song not in his wheelhouse impressed John.
Team Bublé – Braxton Garza vs Jadyn Cree – Danny’s Song by Loggins & Messina
Braxton is a small town “kid.” he works at home fixing things up. Michael blocked Kelsea from turning for Braxton. I am surprised that Danny’s Song gets picked for singing competitions as much as it does. Michael suggests that Jayden think about her dad as she sings it. Her dad is Bryan Olesen who competed as a finalist on Season 25. Michael doesn’t think either singer realizes how great they are. Cynthia agrees. She touts the importance of human connection.
The song is in Braxton’s wheelhouse. It’s odd to remember that Kenny Loggins sang country rock with Jim Messina before he went solo and pop. Jayden needs more work on her plodding phrasing. But her tone is interesting and she manages to hold her own. Braxton wins this Battle, though.
John loved the harmonies. He calls Jayden’s tone special. He wants to hear more. Adam compliments Braxton. But he wishes he had turned for Jayden. Kelsea calls Jayden’s voice a “powerful whisper.” Michael believes Jayden could win the show. Michael picks Jayden. Braxton is eliminated. I halfway expected Kelsea to steal him. Michael blocked Braxton from choosing a more suitable coach (Kelsea) and then dropped him immediately. The block sucks!
Team Kelsea – Angie Rey vs Tatum Scott – Girl by Maren Morris
Kelsea chose the song for the duo based on them both singing heartbreak songs in the Blind Auditions. Kelsea sang with Angie on stage after the artist covered one of her songs. Tatum is the only musical artist in her family. She decided not to join a family business in order to pursue music. Kelsea and the band re-arrange the song for the most impact. Angie tears up. She can relate to the song, which is about comparing oneself to other women.
This matchup is even. Either one could advance to the Knockouts. Maybe Tatum has an edge when it comes to phrasing and timing.
Michael notes that Angie was a one chair turn and Tatum earned two chairs. That sounds about right. At least Kelsea didn’t use either one as cannon fodder. Kelsea calls Angie the biggest surprise on her team. Kelsea picks Angie. John steals Tatum! He really wanted her in the Blinds. Both are unremarkable singers, though.
Team Adam – Fran Posla vs Ethan Eckenroad – July by Noah Cyrus and Leon Bridges
Fran is actually a fan of Kate’s recent album. Or at least she says so. Kate notes they are both holding back and suggests they shake it off. Adam is looking for more energy. Fran had a nomadic childhood. Now she’s settled in NYC. OK. Yummy used the third time by Kate after Kelsea used it twice. PLEASE STOP THAT. Adam suggests Fran sing sharp to stay in tune. He swears it makes sense. Ethan has been away from his wife and infant daughter for awhile now.
They both bring standout vocals to the stage. Fran’s tone and phrasing pierces through, but Ethan brings a quirky passion to his performance. His phrasing on the second verse is especially good. They both could go through. I wish somebody would steal the loser.
Kelsea compliments the last 30 seconds. Michael calls it his favorite duet today. He would lean toward Ethan. John felt it took Ethan a minute to settle, so he would pick Fran. Adam felt Fran thrived, but Ethan took awhile to get going (this is true). Adam picks Ethan, Fran is eliminated. Surprising. He seems to think it was the wrong song for Ethan. Too bad for the talented Fran. That sucks she didn’t nab a steal.
Team Legend – Nell Simmons vs Olivia Kuper Harris – Feel Like Making Love by Roberta Flack
NBC filmed this round last summer when there was no way to know that Roberta Flack would pass away by the time their Battle aired on the show. Nell was a one chair turn. Coco suggests that Olivia make her vocal sexier. John helps her hone her runs. Olivia mentions that she sang the song at an Oscar party recently. Coco advises Nell not to try too hard. John compares her to Tami Terrell. Nell mentions that she toured with Trombone Shorty. John is considering using his save on this one.
I wonder which singer John will save. Both singers are absolute pros (they’ve toured with big names). They know how to make a duet work. Olivia is floaty and sexy, while Nell soulfully turns out the big notes. The harmonizing near the end, singing adlibs together, is spectacular.
Adam calls Nell a “revelation.” He thinks they both need to advance. Kelsea loved that they both found their sexy power. Michael felt they transported everyone into another era. He thinks Nell had the tougher job. He’d pick her. John picks Olivia. Adam steals Nell, John Saves her. Nell picks Team Legend. She jokes “You kind of broke my heart today. I’m going to give you one more chance.”
