The Voice Recap: Heaven Help ’Em, the Battles’ Start Is the End for 4 Singers
The Voice teed up a mixed bag Monday, kicking off Season 26’s Battles with four eliminations, two Steals and at least one matchup that was heaven-sent. Read on, and we’ll discuss it all!
Team Snoop: Christina Eagle (Grade: A+) defeated Gail Bliss (Grade: A) on “Redneck Woman” | Though the country singers were exceedingly well-matched on their rollicking Gretchen Wilson cover, I had to give the edge, however slight, to Christina. Gail sounded radio-ready and record-perfect, but so did her opponent — and her opponent has the more interesting voice.
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Team Gwen: Sydney Sterlace (Grade: B) defeated Sloane Simon (Grade: C) on “Birds of a Feather” — Sloane stolen by Michael | Though the teens’ rendition of Billie Eilish’s mega-hit never really took flight, it was easy to pick a victor — for me, anyway: Sydney. She may have been, as Michael noted, nervous. But unlike Sloane, she didn’t look or sound it.
Team Reba: Kendall Eugene (Grade: C+) defeated Alison Elena (Grade: B) on “Bring On the Rain” | The twosome’s take on Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw’s duet was lovely as a whole. But when you stopped to consider their performances individually, it was kinda meh. Alison sounded pretty but fell a little flat. And aside from Kendall’s growl, his voice is average.
Team Snoop: Mikaela Ayira (Grade: B) defeated Eliza Pryor (Grade: C) on “A Thousand Miles” | Even reined way in by her coach, Mikaela demonstrated with ease that she is a better vocalist than Eliza. Vanessa Carlton’s smash from 2001 — how can that be?!? — favored Eliza’s tone, yet Mikaela still managed to sing circles around her.
Team Gwen: Jan Dan (Grade: A) defeated Jaylen Dunham (Grade: B) on “For Once in My Life” | On Stevie Wonder’s classic, Jan Dan surprised me; though I find him as dull as paste, his vocal was so strong that he caught and held my interest. That said, despite Jaylen’s voice changing, I’d still have gone with the 14-year-old; there’s an urgency and a life to his stage presence that’s unbeatable.
Team Michael: Kiara Vega (Grade: C+) defeated Mor Ilderton (Grade: B+) on “Iris” — Mor stolen by Gwen | Mor and Kiara’s coach challenged them to step out of their lanes and tackle the Goo Goo Dolls… but Mor didn’t have to step nearly so far out of his lane as Kiara did hers. As a result, he shone, delivering a powerful and deeply felt vocal, whereas she fought like hell but was hampered by a dubious song selection.
Anyone else bummed that Jaylen was cut? Surprised by the fuss over Sloane? Relieved that Mor got saved? Pick Monday’s standout in the poll below, then hit the comments.
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