It was another night of Battle Rounds on The Voice as additional members of Teams Adam Levine, Alicia Keys, Blake Shelton and Miley Cyrus took the stage in dueling duets in hopes of beating out their competition for a chance to fulfill their dream. To get one step closer, they have to win their Battle and make it into the Knockout Rounds.
Also back were the coaches’ advisers: Miley with Rock Hall of Famer Joan Jett, Alicia with pop newcomer Charlie Puth, Adam with former Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar, and Blake with The Divine Miss M Bette Midler.
As the night began, Adam had used both of his steals, Miley and Alicia each had one remaining, and Blake had both of his.
Blake said he has been cautious so far because he is looking for something “explosive.”
The first pairing of the night was Team Adam’s 25-year-old Johnny Res from Miami vs. 35-year-old Nolan Neal from Nashville. The song Adam selected for them was Peter Gabriel‘s “Sledgehammer,” and he advised them to be soulful and decisive.
“That was a very evenly matched Battle,” Blake said, pointing out that Nolan was a four-chair turn, so he expected him to kill it, which he did. But he also felt that Johnny stepped up. Blake said he would go with Johnny.
Alicia told them, “You came out and revved your engines and I started to feel you more and more. It was a great evolution to witness. I got a sense of a special voice with Nolan, so I would go with Nolan today.”
“The harmonies were so tight,” Miley said. “I turned for you Nolan, and I am still a huge fan, but I think I might have to go with Blake and say Johnny.”
The final decision was Adam’s, who said it wasn’t fair to have to pick one because they both captured the spirit of the song. “I am going to go with the person I feel most connected to as far as what I think I can offer this person. The winner of this Battle is Nolan.”
The second Battle of the night was from Team Miley. Seventeen year-old Darby Walker from Los Angeles faced off against 22-year-old Karlee Metzger from Plattsville, Michigan. Miley paired the two women because they both see themselves as indie artists. The song she picked was “Brand New Key” by Melanie.
“That was like the Miliey-est thing ever but in the best way,” Adam said. “Darby was hard to look away from but Karlee was the most vocally grounded. It was super infectious and fun.”
Blake said he likes the song because his mom sang it all the time when he was a kid. He felt Darby was infectious and she sang great, too. He agreed with Adam that Karlee had the edge vocally.
Alicia said it was so fun and she couldn’t get enough. Darby has an infectious energy and when Karlee started singing, she owned it. It is a tough choice.
Miley said “I am going to go with someone I want to continue to coach and work with. My pick is Darby.”
But Karlee isn’t going home. Blake used one of his two steals to save her. Blake said it is because she had some country in her performance but she can do any style of music.
Team Blake’s 40-year-old Blaine Long from Chandler, Ariz. went up against 25-year-old Josh Gallagher from Cresson, Pa. Blake gave them Ronnie Milsap‘s soulful country song “Stranger in My House.”
Alicia said that Blaine’s voice really stood out. He has a certain tone that really called to her, while Josh had a showmanship that came through nicely. She also liked the brotherhood between them. Her choice would be Blaine.
Miley felt that Blaine was smiling and involving the crowd, but she felt that Josh was the perfect match for Blake’s coaching, so she would pick Josh.
Adam said that Josh sounded like a contemporary country singer, while Blaine was incredible. It was a close match, but he would go with Josh because there is more there to be discovered.
Blake said Josh pushed himself more than he expected, and Blaine doesn’t do covers, so this was a new world to him. Blaine undersells himself. The winner of the Battle was based on what was happening. Blake kept Josh.
Then there was a quick montage of Battles we didn’t see: Blake paired R&B artist Dana Harper with pop singer Tarra Layne, singing “Alive.” The winner of the Battle was Dana.
Alicia paired indie artist Belle Jewel with indie pop singer Halle Tomlinson on “Bennie and the Jets.” Belle made it through to the Knockout Rounds.
Adam paired R&B singer JSOUL with soul singer Simone Gundy on “You’re All I Need to Get By.” Simone is moving on.
Alicia then paired 31-year-old Josh Halverson from West Texas vs. 24-year-old Kylie Rothfield from Danville, Calif., who it turned out went to school with her adviser Charlie Puth. Alicia paired them together because they both play guitar. The song she chose was the Animals‘ “House of the Rising Sun.”
“Alicia told me this is one of her hardest decisions and I see why,” Miley said. “I would go with Josh.”
Adam added, “You are both so different. But as different as you are, I think it was a good pairing. There is no harder song to sing. Josh, there is something so alluring about you. Your vibe is really strong, but there is a lot I don’t know about Kylie. I might make the impulse decision to go with Kylie.”
Blake said he would go with Kylie.
Alicia reminded Josh how taken she was with his voice and she related to the fact that he said he wanted to spread light. On the other hand, Kylie was able to bust through, so it was a hard decision. The winner of the Battle was Kylie.
But Josh isn’t going home. Mylie used her final steal on him.
Facing off next was Team Blake’s 20-year-old Christian Fermin from Buena Park, Calif. and 15-year-old Gabe Broussard from Lafayette, La., the youngest artist in the competition. Their song was “The Reason” by Hoobastank.
Alicia pointed out that it was two very different styles of voices. Gabe had a great richness in his voice and came out with emotion, where Christian played with the riffs and showed his individuality. She would choose Gabe.
Miley said it freaks her out that Gabe is only 15. But it depends on what Blake wants on his team who he should choose. Christian has more tricks; but Gabe has a sturdy voice.
Adam agreed it is hard to think that Gabe is only 15, but Christian’s big notes got him interested. But because of his age, he would lean toward Gabe.
Blake chose Gabe to go through.
The final pairing of the night from Team Miley was 25-year-old Aaron Gibson from Atlanta vs. 28-year-old Sa’Rayah from Chicago. Miley tasked them with performing Beth Hart‘s “I’ll Take Care of You.”
Adam told Aaron it was amazing experiencing what he did, while Sa’Rayah proved she can fit in anywhere. He would go with Aaron, but Sa’Rayah is amazing, too.
Blake pointed out that it seemed as if Sa’Rayah was born to sing that song. And he told Aaron that all the coaches love his voice, but he would go with Sa’Rayah.
Alicia said it was exciting that the world got to see their performance.
Miley said that the two of them represent the reason that she is on the show. Choosing one of them is probably the hardest decision she will have to make in all of her Battles. But the person she feels that she can help spread their wings a little bigger is Aaron.
Blake and Alicia both attempted to steal Sa’Rayah. Blake told her that he felt that she won the battle hands down. Plus, he has no one else like her on his team. Alicia said she just felt her. She got on stage with fierceness but didn’t become overbearing. Sa’Rayah chose to join Team Alicia.
The Voice returns on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC for the final night of the Battle Rounds.
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