The Voice South Africa: The Battles Trudge On
Am I the only one who thinks that the battles are an overlong process? It feels like we’re trudging through the battles way too slowly. There were six battles during episode two, and there are several talented contestants who still need to perform.
Take a page out the US counterpart’s book and only show the highlights of forgettable battles and battles where neither of the two contestants will be making it to the live shows. That’s already a quicker process, and the extra time could make up an extra live show.
Win-win.
Episode two didn’t feature a battle as explosive as Sam and Armand’s rollicking performance last week, and maybe only one of tonight’s featured artists I could see winning this competition.
Let’s start.
Team Bobby
Josh vs Jeanne-Mari:
Bobby picks Calum Scott’s version of ‘Dancing on my Own’ for these two, and I must commend him for picking a song that doesn’t really give either of them the advantage. Then Josh starts singing and I change my mind – this song suits his voice perfectly. He kills it. Beautiful and heartfelt, very different from his blind audition. Jeanne-Mari’s raspy voice cuts through beautifully as well, she does an excellent job, and again, very different from her audition. It was a very strong battle. I’d pick Josh, but Jeanne-Mari impressed me.
Winner: Josh
Team Kahn
Mia vs Sonia:
Now this is an obvious pairing. The two Afrikaans chicks singing a Taylor Swift track. Groundbreaking. Yeah, this was a massacre. Mia’s vocal was on point, and pretty, and she interpreted the lyrics. Sonia’s vocal sounded somewhat affected, as if she was trying too hard to stand out. Mia has a real country twang in her voice. Easy peasy. But apparently, Lira thinks Sonia is edgy. Karen thinks Mia’s the better performer. Latter seems more legit.
Winner: Mia
Smart choice, Kahn.
Team Bobby
Meggan vs Caroline:
Gaga’s ‘You and I’ is a great song for Meggan’s raspy tone whereas Caroline will have to push a little harder to stamp her authority on this battle. Pitting his one chair girls against one another is perhaps a smart choice. The song comes more naturally to Meggan’s voice. She’s good without being great. Caroline has the bigger voice, though tends to overperform. This is a tough one. Karen’s Afrikaans is Groot vs OppiKoppi quip was damn funny, right? This will come down to personal taste and what Bobby thinks about their prospects in the competition. I think Caroline has the better shot.
Winner: Caroline
Team Karen
Emma vs Christie:
Sjoe, these voices don’t match at all. Christina Aguilera’s ‘Beautiful’ is also a rather strange choice. The more Christie speaks, the more I believe she chose the wrong profession. My mind was made up even before the first note was sung. It’s clear when the song starts that the song suits Christie more, but her voice is so thin. Emma struggles with this song, it’s not who she is or does. Christie’s voice is still shocking, regardless of whether she wins the battle or not. Emma should feel hard done by the song choice.
Winner: Emma
Oh, thank God.
Team Kahn
Christy-Lyn vs Fatman:
Let’s stick with the weird, shall we? Fatman’s persona is truly funny. He really is funny. I’m not sure the singing is going to work out in the long run, but he’s very likable. Is this the first battle in The Voice history where a contestant accompanies herself with a harp? Surely. It’s probably the worst rendition of ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ I’ve heard, but Fatman saved the battle when the chorus came and he could just let go. Christy-Lyn struggled – this isn’t the format for artists like her. Fatman’s got it.
Winner: Fatman
Team Lira
Luke vs Aston
I thought Lira would pair Luke against Sheldon, and Aston against Bryce. Genre wise, it makes more sense. Luke’s rock voice shined throughout, but for me he is just too like his boy Richard, you know, last year’s winner. He did a good job. Aston has more pop sensibilities but he more than held his own. It likely came down to which singer Lira prefers, and she probably chose the right one.
Winner: Luke
Bobby and Kahn both try to steal Aston, but Aston chooses Kahn. They think he could go all the way, but I’m not sure he has the voice to stand out amongst the bigger, more commanding voices.
What did you think of the second episode of battles? Better than last week’s? Let us know!
