The Voice 27 Recap: Live Top 5 Finale Performances with Videos
The Voice 27 two part FINALE begins tonight (5/19). The Top 5 artists–Jayden Cree, Lucia Flores-Wiseman, Jaelen Johnston, RENZO and Adam David–from Teams Michael Buble, John Legend, Kelsea Ballerini and Adam Levine will perform for YOUR VOTES and a chance to WIN The Voice. The WINNER will be revealed at the end of Tuesday’s (5/20) Grand Finale.
The Voice 27 Reveals Live Show Format, Special Finale Guest Stars
The Voice 27 Finale Top 5 Ranked Power List – Rate the Artists!
Voting is open NOW at NBC.com/TheVoice or the official phone app.
RENZO – Team Legend – Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz
In a taped interview by host Carson Daly, John Legend reminds everybody that he blocked Adam Levine from turning for the singer. RENZO used to go by his name Dennis Lorenzo when he competed on American Idol in 2018. The singer shared about the days he spent homeless in Los Angeles.
RENZO accompanies himself on guitar. His version is softer, more ballady than Lenny’s. The band isn’t playing behind him….at least to start. As one could predict, the singer eventually ditches the guitar before the band kicks off in a big way. Now, the arrangement is more like the original. This rendition is pretty good, but lends itself to comparisons to the original. And of coarse, it pales.
Michael calls the performance flawless. “Vocally, you crushed it.” John adds that the acoustic beginning was RENZO’s idea. “Let’s win The Voice!” he shouts.
Lucia Flores-Wiseman – Team Adam – Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
The cringey “letters to music” are back. Oh boy. It’s a way to talk about personal life details. But, eh. Also, there’s no way the singers write these on their own.
Lucia has a unique sound. And it’s the kinda thing people like, but also hate. Typically, I’m not crazy about stylized singers. Often they use their vocal tricks to feign emotion. But while I don’t love the sound of Lucia’s voice, she approaches all of her performances with intent. The Pink Floyd classic is about loss, Lucia is feeling it.
Kelsea call Lucia a gift to the season and the stage. “I felt every bit of that.” Adam said, “I feel so connected to you.” He calls her “pure.” He advises, “Keep doing you.”
Jayden Cree – Team Buble – Lose You to Love Me by Selena Gomez
Dear music…blah blah blah. Jayden’s dad is The Voice alum Bryan Olesen. She’s grown up around singing and playing. Jayden was introduced to Voice fans when she sang with her dad during his Blind Audition.
Jayden sings with a pretty and clear tone. It’s a perfectly serviceable pop sound, if somewhat generic. She’s young, there’s time to develop her own thing. The song choice is perfect for her. Dad is crying, as always!
Michael is emotional talking about her. “You’re a pop star and I love you.” He calls her “pure” and “innocent.” Once she develops an edge, she’ll be more interesting.
Michael Buble performs “I’ve Got the World on a String”
Michael takes the stage to perform the popular standard “I’ve Got the World on a String.” The 1932 jazz song was composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Ted Koehler. Cab Calloway and Frank Sinatra have both recorded it. Michael has a full jazz orchestra backing him up. Cool.
Jaelen Johnston – Team Kelsea – What Was I Thinkin’ by Dierks Bentley
In his video package, Jaelen and his coach chat with Carson about his Voice journey. Kelsea explains that as a hardcore country fan, she was drawn to the singer. Jaelen shares that he often plays for veterans. If he prevails, Jaelen will be the first Super Save singer to win The Voice. (He probably won’t, though).
Welp. He’s DEFINITELY not going to win now, after fluffing an entire line of lyrics, looking panicked, and so not covering his mistake well at all. The song is wordy, granted. Oh well. Now, he seems thrown off his game. He better bring it hard on his second performance. AND REMEMBER THE DANG WORDS.
Kelsea is proud of him, and feels he covered his mistake well (not really). It’s probably a mistake to pick a difficult song at crunch time.
Adam David – Team Buble – You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker
Dear music la la la la la. Adam shared about struggling with mental health. “It hasn’t been an easy road,” he admits.
Adam was destined to cover this Joe Cocker classic. It’s the perfect choice for a singer like Adam who wants to sing a romantic ballad, but doesn’t possess a classic voice. His phrasing is exquisite and understated. It’s one of his best performances of the competition. Anyway, I’m voting for him tonight.
John loves Adam. “You show so much heart. Your voice has so much texture. You did a beautiful song much justice.” Michael BEGS America to vote for the hardworking singer. He wants him to win. (SORRY JAYDEN!)
Lucia Flores-Wiseman – Team Adam – Wildflower by Billie Eilish
It’s time for Lucia and Adam to chat with Carson. Lucia was hesitant to sing in Spanish, because she struggles with her identity. The singer chose Team Adam after he mentioned Brandi Carlile (whom Lucia has performed with). In her yearbook, Lucia was voted the most likely to win The Voice.
Lucia will cover the Billie Eilish tune with a Spanish twist. She switches back and forth between the two languages and it’s surprisingly seamless. She seems more comfortable performing her second song. The tune allows her to smoothly build a dramatic story arc. Big notes for a big finish!
“That was so good,” says Adam. He believes she should win The Voice because she’s not a typical competition singer.
Adam David – Team Buble – Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll
Adam, Michael and Carson chat about how the singer was a one chair turn. He’s proud that he won the other coaches over. Adam feels the song lyrics deeply. He wants to bring Michael his first back-to-back win. The coach helps Adam shape the arrangement.
This song was all over American Idol this season, due to multiple appearances by the original artists. I’m sick of it, frankly. But Adam is bringing his heart to the performance. Wish he would play more electric guitar. He’s a talented musician, as well as singer. He ends the song backed by a gospel choir for a huge finish.
Michael is shaking. “I hear the voice of God. We are blessed.”
Maelyn Jarmon returns to The Voice to sing her new single “Dreamboat”
Maelyn won season 16 with newbie The Voice coach John Legend in 2019. Now she’s back to perform her new single the dreamy, ethereal ballad “Dreamboat.” She’s still a terrific singer. I voted for her. Maelyn and her coach hug afterward.
Jayden Cree – Team Buble – Come on Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
Carson mentions that Michael is the only coach to have two singers in the finals. Jayden’s dad finished in 3rd place on his season.
Jayden LOVES her 80’s pop hits. She has fun while vamping it up. But the arrangement isn’t great for her range. The little ditty is not that easy to sing. Lots of words and the song is high paced and rhythmic. She sounds flat throughout.
Michael once again calls her a star. “You lead with light.” But he obviously wants Adam to win. No kidding, but to say that out loud after Adam’s performance? Hm.
RENZO – Team Legend – Lover You Should Come Over by Jeff Buckley
DEEEAR MUUUUSIC. He discusses his family life, including his three young daughters. While hugging one of his kids he states emotionally, “This is why I’m here.”
The Philadelphia singer picks a less popular Buckley tune. RENZO is always willing to take a risk, which is one reason why he’s an interesting artist. I hope Adam wins, but I won’t be mad if the creative and bold RENZO takes it all. If he does win, American Idol and The Voice will have winners with several similarities.
John feels he showed something new in his voice today. He’s so proud of the singer.
Jaelen Johnston – Team Kelsea – Cold by Chris Stapleton
Dear, dear Music. He’s just a young blue collar guy who drives trucks and drinks beer, ya’ll.
After a disastrous first performance, Jaelen ends the night in dramatic fashion. He’s lost in song as he performs a Chris Stapleton fan-favorite. He pours his heart out, making the most of his raspy baritone.
Kelsea reveals that Jaelen picked the song. She was nervous at first. But once they rehearsed she changed her mind and knew for sure that he truly could sing.
The Voice season 27 two-hour finale will crown a WINNER on Tuesday May 20 at 9 pm on NBC. Streams next day on Peacock. A one-hour Top 5 performance recap airs at 8 pm.
