The Voice Recap: The Knockouts Round Kicks Off With a Child Prodigy, a Would-Be Tay Tay and More
Monday’s episode of The Voice kick-started Season 26’s Knockouts with Mega Mentors Jennifer Hudson and Sting tapping in to help out Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, “Uncle Snoop” Dogg and Michael Bublé. But even with the coaches receiving all-star assists, we still got a mixed-bag evening of performances. Read on, and we’ll discuss them, one and all.
Team Snoop: Austyns Stancil singing “Dance With My Father” (Grade: B-) defeated Christina Eagle singing “My Church” (Grade: C+) and Jake Tankersley singing “Going, Going, Gone” (Grade: B) — Christina saved by Snoop, Jake stolen by Gwen | Up first, Austyns sang prettily enough on Luther Vandross’ weepy ballad but didn’t quite hit the mountain-peak-high note for which he reached. His range is incredible, but this performance, forgettable. Second in the spotlight, Christina woke up the joint with her rollicking rendition of Maren Morris’ hit. But, as much fun as she was, let’s be real: We’ve seen 100 better country singers pass through this show. Last in line, Jake brought to the stage what was perhaps the most well-modulated performance. He started off low and easy, then let out just a hint of a controlled growl. None these really rocked my world, but in Snoop’s seat, I’d have gone with Austyns; I may not have liked this number especially, but he for sure has the most versatile and impressive pipes.
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Team Reba: Adam Bonahan singing “Colors” (Grade: A) defeated Cassidy Lee singing “Love Me Like a Man” (Grade: A) and Jaukeem Fortson singing “God Only Know” (Grade: A+) — Jaukeem stolen by Michael | Stepping up to the mic first, Adam absolutely slayed Black Pumas, singing with fire, range, intensity… His performance wasn’t just good, it was downright exciting. Tasked with following him up was Cassidy, who delivered a take on Bonnie Raitt that was as intoxicating to the ears as whiskey in a glass. Remember when Kelly Clarkson would say so-and-so gave us stankface? Cassidy gave us stankvoice, and I was living for it. Batting cleanup, holy s—t! Fourteen-year-old Jaukeem unleashed an almost otherworldly performance, it was so powerful. If his big notes had been any bigger, even Surround Sound wouldn’t have been able to contain them. And for my money, you couldn’t beat him for bringing emotion to the stage. Whether he wins this show, that kid’s a star!
Team Gwen: Jose Luis singing “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” (Grade: C+) defeated Deon Jones singing “Nutbush City Limits” (Grade: B) and Camryn Brooks singing “Glitter in the Air” (Grade: B+) | Camryn started off the trio of performances with a Pink cover that was marked by the purity of her voice; there are freshly washed windows that aren’t that clear. Still, I doubted I’d remember her Pink cover by the time I was recapping Tuesday’s episode. Deon’s performance was most definitely not one that was going to slip my mind. The trouble for him, though, was that it was more noteworthy for his go-for-broke showmanship than for his vocals. Finally, taking on Ariana Grande’s hit, Jose gave the impression that he was a talented kid who was not yet 100-percent sure how to maintain control of his powerful voice. Here, he often sounded off as much as on, like he was going for something that he just wasn’t going to be able to reach with his voice. I don’t get what all the fuss is about him. (But then, I didn’t “get” Chloe Kohanski, either, and she won.)
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Team Bublé: Cameron Wright singing “You’re All I Need to Get By” (Grade: B) defeated Sloane Simon singing “Can’t Catch Me Now” (Grade: A) — Sloane saved by Michael | Before hitting the rehearsal hall, we learned that Tanner Frick had dropped out of the competition. So Cameron was just going to face off with Sloane. Singing first, Cameron, as they tend to do, unpacked their whole bag of tricks on stage. And no two ways about it, they have a tremendous voice. But maybe a little more editing would do them some good; like, we don’t have to hear every single gimmick every single time. On her Olivia Rodrigo cover, Sloane made a solid case for why she could be “the next Taylor Swift” that the show was so determined to discover last season. She was present and charismatic and delivered a vocal that was nuanced and full of feeling.
What did you think of the start of the Knockouts? Anyone else aggravated that Christina and Jake got to continue on when Cassidy got cut? What am I missing with Jose? Hit the comments below after voting for your favorite.
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