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As The Voice’s Season 25 Playoffs got underway Monday night, John Legend and Dan + Shay faced the unenviable task of cutting their teams of five down to three apiece. How’d they fare? Let’s review the performances and the coaches’ picks, then discuss, shall we?
TEAM LEGEND
Nathan Chester, “Oh! Darling” — Grade: A+ | Dude could win Season 25 if he keeps barreling down this retro lane like he is; it’s beyond perfect for him. Tackling The Beatles’ classic here, Nathan not only delivered a kickass vocal but demonstrated enviable showmanship. Whether you, too, can do a split, kids, this is how it’s done. “Best performance ever!” Reba declared. “Flawless!” Shay cheered. Agreed.
Kamalei Kawa’a, “No Woman, No Cry” — Grade: B- | Again pulling from Bob Marley’s songbook, Kamalei turned out a lovely, spirited rendition of the reggae legend’s classic. Kamalei even cranked his energy level up a bit; appreciated. Still, the performance felt kinda one-note. The coaches adored it, with John marveling at the “spice” Kamalei puts on every number. I’d go so far as to say “flavor,” but “spice”? No.
Bryan Olesen, “Africa” — Grade: C | You’ll get no argument from me if you say that Bryan has a massive voice. But I will throw down if you suggest that this was a great performance. Perhaps owing to the fact that he was doing a Toto oldie that didn’t showcase his strengths, Bryan oversang and came off even more karaoke-esque than he might have otherwise. John loved the way that Season 25’s elder statesman stopped to get his guitar midway through, but it played awkwardly on stage, and to what end?
Mafe, “Someone Like You” — Grade: A | Perfect song choice for Mafe. Adele’s hit allowed her to show off her gorgeous tone, enviable range and ear-popping control. But on top of all that, the number reminded us of how deeply into a song Mafe dives — she was feeling that s—t. Shay balked at the number of liberties that Mafe had taken with the melody, but I was with John, who quipped that he was “entitled to be wrong.”
Zoe Levert, “Iris” — Grade: B+ | Credit where it’s due: I may not be the president of the Zoe Levert Fan Club, but this was not only her best performance yet, it was also a pretty damn good performance in its own right. She gave a real sense that, start to finish, she knew what she was doing, she seemed to be emotionally invested, and her vocal was stronger than I can remember hearing before from her.
John’s Picks | Nathan Chester, Zoe Levert, Bryan Olesen
Eliminated | Mafe, Kamalei Kawa’a
TEAM DAN + SHAY
Karen Waldrup, “Heart Like a Truck” — Grade: B | I really have no quibbles with Karen’s cover of Yellowstone singer Lainey Wilson’s ballad. Karen’s vocal was solid, and she was in the moment. I just wondered if it was going to be “enough” to sway her coaches, considering that the number didn’t really let her “wow” until she started hitting one superb long note after another near the finish line.
Anya True, “All Too Well” — Grade: A- | Step aside, Zoe Levert. If any of Season 25’s contestants have what it takes to be another Taylor Swift, it’s Anya. (Or was until Dan + Shay cut her!) There’s an ache to her gorgeous voice that draws you all the way in. She also sings with the vulnerability of someone making a confession rather than just performing a song. Her coaches likened her vocal stylings to Julia Michaels. Me, I was thinking Addison Agen.
Olivia Rubini, “I’ll Stand by You” — Grade: D | OK, so we know I’m not much of an Olivia fan to begin with. So I have to ask: Was this as dreadful as I thought it was? ’Cause to my ears, it sounded flat enough to have been run over by a semi. And WTF was up with those squeaks she threw in here and there? You know how coaches will talk about contestants’ tasteful choices now and then? Those squeaks were not tasteful. I actually went to fast-forward this performance before I remembered I was getting paid to stick it out to the end.
Tae Lewis, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” — Grade: A- | On Randy Houser’s bop, Tae turned the charisma way up as he churned out a wholly enjoyable, rollicking performance. The only obstacle in his path, as far as I could hear, was that even when he was really putting the pedal to the metal, vocally speaking, his engine wasn’t as powerful as other contestants’. But this? No two ways about it. It was a blast.
Madison Curbelo, “Landslide” — Grade: A | Is there a rule that someone has to perform this Fleetwood Mac classic every season? Whether or not there is, Madison’s version was nine kinds of gorgeous. Her voice soared and dipped through it like a sparrow through the clouds. And unlike some contestants Monday night — sorry, Bryan and Olivia — I believed every syllable that Madison uttered. A dazzling, confident, emotional performance.
Dan + Shay’s Picks | Madison Curbelo, Karen Waldrup, Tae Lewis
Eliminated | Anya True, Olivia Rubini
So, for my money, there is no way that Bryan and Zoe deserved to remain on Team Legend more than Mafe, who has been consistently good. I would have also preferred that Dan + Shay had stuck with Anya over Karen, but I can’t say that Karen hasn’t been bringing it. Which eliminations surprised/perturbed you the most? Sound off in the comments after you vote for the night’s standout performance in the below poll.
I don’t get the Zoe hype. Yes, she has a pretty voice, but I don’t understand why the coaches think she is so spectacular. So many singers have been so much better than her since the blinds. Mafe was amazing. I can’t believe she went home.
I was shocked John picked Bryan over Mafe … yet again I wasn’t I swear every year he cuts the one on his team I think has the highest chance of winning.
Nathan is a STAR though.
I like Zoe a lot there is just something about her.
I also thought Dan & Shay should have stuck with Anya True.
I loved Bryan’s performance! It was fun & entertaining. Thought he sounded great. Plus I loved the pink suit! Still pulling for him!
Agree to disagree with you Charlie. I thought Zoe was incredible A+ from me and I wasn’t a fan until tonight. I think best 3 went through. Like Mafe a lot but wasn’t in love with this tonight. And I loved Bryan, but agree with the guitar part being a distraction.
Thought Dan & Shay got it right.Think Anya and Madison similar and Madison had to go through.
Really enjoyed tonight. Very funny too. And the robes segment was hilarious 😂
Nathan and Madison were amazing. Mafe was OK, but only in the high notes. Olivia needed to go – agree with the “D”.
I personally like The Voice so much more than the other voice contest show (AI). Coaches are fun – love Chance and Dan & Shay seem so excited to be there. Great energy.
Nathan is the full package- great voice and great entertainer! So happy he made it through
Charlie, heads up! If I’m not mistaken, it seems that the “poll” you mentioned at the end of your piece is NOT for “eliminations that most perturbed,” but, instead, for “playoff performances that most impressed.” WHAT??!! Aren’t those contradictory??
Disappointed that Mafe was eliminated, & Zoe was chosen over both Mafe & Kamalei. Agree that last nite seemed to be Zoe’s “best performance” so far, & she “has grown,” but Mafe & Kamalei have both been more consistent in their song deliveries/choices, IMHO.
Finally, it seems that artists only “choose” their songs from a judges’ pre-selected list — not really the ARTISTS’ OWN choices, as we were led to believe in the past. Maybe that’s why we always seem to hear the same songs season after season, right?
Also agree about Olivia’s “squeaks;” I had to listen again & thought “huh?” Bryan yelly, as predicted; would have been nice to hear a more gentle side to his voice, with more vocal variety & dynamics.
Nathan, Karen, Tae, Madison great; Anya just OK, IMHO.
I feel John legend has a good chance of winning season 25 but still have to watch out for chance the rapper
Thank you Charlie for calling out Bryan’s performance. The coaches gave such praise I doubted my own ears. Am indifferent about this season but was rooting for Kamalei who has a lovely voice and seems a decent human. Understand though how he lost out.
So happy Nathan made it through! Love him! Zoe impressed me for the first time. I also would have kept Mafe over Bryan, but I guess John wanted three totally different singers.
I thought Dan & Shay made the right choices.
I don’t think that 2 of the 3 of Johns picks were good ones. I think he was way off with Bryan and Nathan. I thought they were both awful.
Are you trolling… Nathan was sensational, he has the full package and I’d pay to see him live… I cheered when he was put through.
Thanks for fixing the poll issue, Charlie! :)
Mafe was the best vocal of the night, period. She nailed it, some people don’t have a great ear for technical but she was spot on in the low and high registers. Maybe there is a political reason he thought she wouldn’t get votes. I could have dropped either of the guys selected, but felt songwise Bryan was more appropriate being dynamic rock. Nathan is pretty good but it’s called the voice not the showman or idol. Mafe beat both guys hands down.
And Zoe was better tonight than before, could have done slightly better early in the song, but her voice and rendition was incredible. Please just teach her to not sing perfectly, to dirty it up, a little growl, grit, texture. I can’t believe he dropped Mafe, had to be something behind the scenes.
John had a really tough decision to make as all 5 were excellent but I absolutely agree that Mafe was more deserving than Zoe. Cant really argue with Nathan and Brian altho Kamalei was right there too.
Wow, Nathan Chester has it all. I have been so impressed with him, he just gets better and better each week. Can’t wait to see his next performance.
I feel like Kamalei’s performance should get some more love. It was pitch-perfect and definitely his best so far. I wish he got a spot in the live shows but I rarely agree with John’s choices.
I think whenever John has a country artist, he always brings them to the lives cause he knows America loves to vote for country artists so he thinks he’ll have a good chance winning with them -_- instead of bringing the contestants to the lives that should actually go through.
I agreed with John’s 3 picks absolutely. Can’t wait until the lives show.
Nathan blew the doors off the auditorium. He was a step above the entire crowd.
The only choice I take issue with is John choosing Bryan over Mafe. I don’t know if he was trying to justify giving Bryan the Playoff Pass, but it was the worst of his three performances, barely better than above average karaoke.
I think Mafe was undone by the song choice. She expressed reservations about the tempo and her command of English, and I think she proved prophetic. For my $$$, Mafe had the best voice in the competition, and it’s a shame she’s gone.
Zoe is pure perfection!!!
Anya was the best vocalist on the show. Sings with such an endearing tone and vulnerability that hooks you. Every judge’s jaw dropped in her last performance. She has the talent to make it without this show. The voice has a history of consistently eliminating the best vocalists rather early. Kique, Ryley Tate now Anya. Weird judging criteria imo. It’s the VOICE. Let’s judge their vocal abilities.
Yep. Of anyone this season, Anya is the most likely to record a hit.
I don’t know what John Legend was thinking picking Brian Olsen over Mafe???
Rletto had a poor song choice, “Holy” as if he was trying to please Chance. It wasn’t his genre he should’ve stayed in his lane And done what he does best, which is R&B and soul.
Mafe & Rletto deserve to come back For finals.
Anya True should have gone through over Tae. She had tough competition, but her’s is a radio-ready voice. More likely to chart than anyone else this season, regardless of having been eliminated.
I enjoy Tae quite a bit but he just doesn’t have “it.” A great workingman’s musician.
Dropping Mafe for Bryan was mindboggling. I don’t think she’d win the competition but no question she’s the better singer and Bryan is headed for an immediate cut.