The Voice Season 27 is truly the boys’ show, but it’s the only girl on the panel who is making a statement so far. Kelsea Ballerini is setting herself up as the bubbly, lovable coach of the season. She makes up The Voice green room with freshly baked cookies as a bribe to get the contestants to choose her. But based on two episodes thus far, it’s not a difficult decision to want to work with the country superstar. She’s truly a perfect addition to this show. Her spirit is infectious. Her smile brings joy. She’s going to go beyond just being a mentor and steamroll the boys around her. Meanwhile, Adam Levine seems to be finding his footing again. He seems quite passive. Maybe he really misses his former mate.

Anyway, the camaraderie is strong as they are all seasoned professionals who just seem to happen to be on the same wavelength. There’s no one in this quartet who feels superior to another. In the past, having mega popstars like Ariana Grande or Miley Cyrus pop in, the aura was different. Even in the past two seasons with Reba McEntire, the Queen of Country, there was a bit of a hierarchy. That’s not the case this time around. It’s refreshing. The chemistry is strong thus far. That being said, Adam Levine is trying quite hard to find his new Blake Shelton. When he refers to John Legend as the pillow-fight version of his former bro, it’s clear that he’s clinging onto the past when he should be focused on a new era. Nevertheless, the coaches have love for one another now, but the battle to the top is still early. The Blind Auditions continue on.

Kelsea Ballerini Stacks Her Team

Time to kick off night two of the Blind Auditions. A Nashville transplant from High Point, North Carolina, Tatum Scott arrives, bringing everything country to the screen. The former party princess has musical theater roots, taking on this journey for her chorus teacher, who sadly recently passed from breast cancer. Scott is hoping to keep her legacy alive on The Voice. For her Blind Audition, the Southern Belle takes on something non-country with “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo. She does introduce a twang into the track, but what shines the most is her pure pitch. Her tone is pristine. She’s got the goods to be a pop princess. With Kelsea Ballerini and John Legend turning, it seems obvious for Scott to pick the new kid in town, especially because they both have the same pants. John Legend tries to pitch to her, complimenting her on her confidence and lower range. In the end, Tatum Scott makes the obvious decision, joining Team Kelsea. As the first act of the night, Tatum Scott should be one to watch this season. She has the ability to genre-jump, something very important on The Voice nowadays.

Everyone seems hungry for a male country voice. And Jaelen Johnston will be the one that will shock the judges. At 21-years-old, the homegrown country singer shares his story of being raised by his mom, grandma, and grandpa. His father was not in the picture, but he was still raised with manners, he proudly professes. He takes on Luke Combs‘ “Where the Wild Things Are.” Everyone but John Legend turns, so the fight is on to earn the potential winner. But Kelsea Ballerini gets her long-desired cowboy. In a time when representation in country music is crucial, Jaelen Johnston represents for those young boys and girls who have a dream but don’t look like the typical country star they hear on the radio. Johnston’s voice is what country music craves. His youth is moldable. As long as he plays his cards right, Johnston could end up seeing what a confetti shower looks like on finale night.

John Legend Hands Out Some New Lettermen Sweaters

Starting in the dark, Bryson Battle immediately wows John Legend and Michael Bublé, earning their chair turns. His soulful rendition of “A Song for You” by Leon Russell ultimately gets all four coaches to turn. He has an old-soul sensibility with his stage presence. There’s a richness deep inside that resonates. But, when the baby-faced singer opens up his mouth to speak, the 21-year-old shocks the room. The North Carolina native reveals he has vitiligo, a skin disease that causes the skin to not produce pigment. He reveals that when he was younger, he wanted to cover it up, but he’s since learned to embrace himself for who he was. Especially the heart-shaped spot on his forehead. The spot his late grandmother would kiss every time she saw him. Battle’s story is captivating, it’s beautiful. Michael Bublé’s pitch to Battle is that he might have the greatest voice he’s ever heard. It may be a stretch, but it’s certainly a reason to want to join the Canadian crooner’s team. But let’s be real. John Legend is the right person to mentor Battle. Smartly, he’s Legend’s first artist of the night.

Jordan Allen is a family man from Kentucky. With his Southern-fried voice and Bolo tie, the Appalachian singer comes from a long line of coal miners. Even with music being his primary source of income, his side hustles include mowing lawns and real estate. I think Allen may be the first to have those jobs become secondary to music! We love to see it. For his Blind Audition, Allen sings “Old Time Rock and Roll” by Bob Seger. He wants to bring the spirit of music before the 1980s to life. His spirit is present, but dare I say he’s best suited as a wedding singer. He bops around like the drunk uncle at that same wedding. Perhaps it’s their love for the era that John Legend and Michael Bublé give Jordan Allen a chance at the game. He decides to join John Legend, likely because of his constructive criticism of his musical choices. However, Jordan Allen may not be long for this competition since he seems a bit like a gimmick artist.

Ari Camille is a recent USC graduate with a degree in theater. And she’s not the only graduate in the family. Her mother graduated from nursing school, so The Voice is the perfect place for the family to celebrate these milestones. She takes on “I Wanna Be Down” by Brandy. And, to be honest, Ari Camille is baby Brandy! Everything about her, from her personality to her voice to her stage presence, has shades of the legendary singer and actress. She is in the pocket vocally, grooving in the right spots. Her runs capture the spirit of 90s R&B. John Legend is captured by her similarities to Brandy, and continues to compliment her on her ability to open up in a manner that the rasp of the original lacks. Now, Michael Bublé is a glutton for punishment, thinking he has a shot to win over Ari. He goes as far as to try to convince her that he’ll tattoo her name on his arm alongside his kids. He even invites her to write her name on his arm. Reminding her that the only time Brandy was on the show to mentor was under John Legend, Ari Camille takes the lettermen sweater and joins Team Legend.

Will Adam Levine Find His Groove?

After returning from a commercial break, the show gives a seemingly unrecognizable individual mosey around the green room, interviewing potential singers. We learn that this is Hayden Grove, an actual contestant and not a new field reporter for the show. He is actually a sports reporter, so it is natural for him to have that deep voice associated with his bread-and-butter job. The moment he starts snapping his fingers, it was clear that the standards were about to leave his voice. Then, the moment he revealed that he had recorded TikTok duets with Michael Bublé, we knew exactly how this should play out. Oh, and Bublé had previously shouted out the singer at his concert, convincing the crowd to follow him on TikTok. Leave something to the imagination!

For his Blind Audition, the snaps lead to his rendition of “Mack the Knife.” Last season, Michael Bublé was quite taken by a young and slightly delusional crooner by the name of Edward Prebble, but he’s learned the hard way that his musical preference is not going to earn him the victory. To the shock of all, Michael Bublé does not turn for Grove, but Adam Levine does! While he is on the show, Michael Bublé has a chance to steal him later in the season. Based on his incredible music technique class he implements on the spot about Grove’s vibrato, Bublé has a strong respect for this kid. He’s willing to let him grow with another coach first before swooping in.

The pipeline from athlete to singer seems to be a trend in recent singing competition shows. Britton Moore shares he once played in the Little League World Series, playing varsity baseball, but singing was always something he did in the background. After missing out on a previous opportunity to audition for The Voice because of baseball, he’s finally found the time to put sports to the side as music holds his heart. He sings “Yellow” by Coldplay. From the jump, his tenor is tantalizing. Moore has a sincerity in his vocals. His falsetto is perfect. In another universe, Britton Moore would have been recruited for a boy band. His star quality is well worth a four-chair turn. Despite having a gruffier rock sound, there is an instant vocal connection between Moore and the Maroon 5 frontman, but Kelsea Ballerini is not going down without a fight. Last week, she showcased her button with Blake Shelton soundbites. This week, it’s herself singing her lyrics, “Yeah, I’m calling dibs.” Boss move. In the end, the Texas boy picks the OG coach. It’s a match made in heaven.

Michael Bublé Slams That Coaches’ Replay Button

The Voice stage gets spicy the moment Ricardo Moreno steps foot on it. Having a father who’s a singer, mariachi is in the blood. And yet, he steers clear of his Latin music roots with an oldie. His version of “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” by Paul Anka is out of his comfort zone but he introduces some Spanish flair into it. It’s a bit kitschy at first. Even the coaches know something is off. But when the Spanish lyrics come out, Moreno lights up. Sadly, the coaches don’t turn. Adam Levine and John Legend blame Michael Bublé for not turning as they see him as the standard influencer. But one can only “Blame Canada” so much. Especially with that, Coaches’ Replay is an option! Bublé gives Ricardo a second chance. He is excited to see him move around genres alongside him. Ricardo Moreno has something special. Now, his coach must hone in on the right music to elevate him.

Braxton Garza arrives hoping to make his children proud. The father of two shares that he and both of their mothers are doing their best to co-parent and raise their kids. The 28-year-old from Adrian, Michigan was inspired by his father to be the best father himself. He sadly lost his father in the Fall of 2020 due to complications from COVID. He told his son that the last thing he wanted to be remembered by was the way he loved. Garza shares that he was the most loving person he’d ever met in his life. While music is not his main direction, he knows that a chair turn could change his life. Garza has an edge to himself through his performance of “Pretty Little Poison” by Warren Zeiders. Looking at the current landscape of country music, Garza has mainstream appeal. Michael Bublé knows this, so he blocks Kelsea Ballerini from adding him to his team. It’s a strong and tactful move, setting the tone for the battle between Bublé and Ballerini should Bublé drop the ball on him later on this season.

It’s time for Hickman from Dickson! That is 39-year-old Susan Hickman from Dickson, Texas. The teal-wearing artist is a professional skydiver. Yes, you read that right. She’s gone skydiving over 700 times. Inspired by Leann Rimes, the country singer recorded her first album at 15-years-old. Hickman performs “It Must Have Been Love” by Roxette. Despite her country roots, her decision to tackle the 80s proves her fearlessness. It’s an incredible risk, especially with her intonation issues throughout the track. Sadly, she is the first casualty of the no-chair turn. Are you ready to rock? Carmella certainly is! The 29-year-old Angeleno sports yellow hair is known for her livestreaming her music. She takes on a megerly stripped down performance of “Like a Stone” by Audioslave. Starting in a lower octave sadly weakens her ability to connect off the bat. She lets loose at the chorus, but sadly in a game of instant connection, Carmella’s song choice deters her from earning a coach. She is ambitious but plays her cards incorrectly. She becomes the night’s second casualty of the no-chair turn.

The Voice Season 27 is certainly fun, even if the song selections are risky and Adam Levine is still struggling to find his mojo. Two episodes in, we’re slowly learning who may win the season. And by that, I mean which coach. Tonight’s episode did present some potential artists to watch, but truly, this season is coming down to how Kelsea Ballerini will become a rookie coach to win in back-to-back-to-back seasons.