Tonight’s episode started off on a high note with two guest performances, before quickly getting serious, as our season 8 finalists were revealed.
WALK THE MOON
The very capsy fellows of WALK THE MOON started the show with a performance of their insanely-catchy hit “Shut Up and Dance,” which likely caused many a viewer to say just that to whatever friends or family were on the couch next to them. The band seemed to be having a great time, probably super stoked for such a huge gig. Lead singer Nicholas Petricca seems just dorky enough that we would, in fact, very much like to dance with him. Even though he may have a mullet. There’s definitely a party going on in the back, maybe some business in the front, but then nothing on the sides? Does such a hairstyle have a name?
Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell
Snoop Dogg was joined by the producer of his new album Bush, our very own Pharrell, to perform their new song “California Roll.” And if there was ever any question, Snoop and Pharrell are for sure the two most mellow human beings on this planet. Their combined mellow power, performing this mellow song, basically mellowed us all into submission, causing us to mellow right out of our chairs and onto the floor.
Finalist group performances
The Girls
Powerhouses India, Koryn, and Meghan came together to perform the classic Journey hit “Faithfully,” which is apparently a staple on Blake’s ‘80s rock playlist. It’s a great song, and they all sounded great, of course. But it was kind of a forgettable performance. They all just stood there in a line, singing this song without a whole lot of passion. It wasn’t until the end, when the girls took turns in beautiful overlapping “oooohs,” waving their arms in the air like we all do when singing along to Journey, that the performance really picked up.
The Boys
The last men standing, Joshua and Sawyer, took the stage together to perform Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away.” It was a more entertaining performance, because Josh and Sawyer do seem to be pals, and both seem to be having a more lighthearted experience in this competition than the girls. It’s a shame Uncle Kracker’s version of the song was so overplayed in the early ‘00s because some of us are still not ready to ever hear it again, even from Sawyer and Josh.
Results and Last Chance Performances
Throughout the show, Carson revealed the fates of several contestants, both safe and in danger, until we learned that it would be India Carney and Koryn Hawthorne singing for their lives. This was bad news for Koryn’s coach Pharrell, but even worse news for Christina, who faced elimination if her last contestant, India, was sent home.
India Carney
India Carney certainly knows what songs to pick: songs that will lend themselves to the emotional performance she has been seeking this entire season. Unfortunately, she does not know how to deliver that emotion. Kelly Clarkson’s “Dark Side” is super emotional, and provided the perfect opportunity for India to step up to the plate and show us…something. But it was once again a technically-perfect, but overly-calculated performance.
Koryn Hawthorne
And then we have Koryn Hawthorne, who is the exact opposite of India, performance-wise. Koryn’s voice is rougher around the edges, but the teenager sings with such passion, such emotion, that she draws you in with every performance. And for her first last chance performance, Koryn chose Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy,” which was the perfect song because it allowed her to give us every bit of passion the song calls for, and then some.
Instant Save
America took to Twitter as soon as Carson announced that the #VoiceSave window was open, and while it was pretty close, Koryn remained in the lead the entire time the votes were onscreen. Christina and Pharrell each made last-minute pleas for their contestants, and man, does Pharrell really know how to make an inspirational speech that really tugs at the ol’ heartstrings. In the end, the numbers didn’t lie, and Koryn was saved, meaning the end of the road for India and Team Christina.
Tune in next Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. on NBC for The Voice season 8 finals!