The Voice Season 4 Episode 8 The Battles, Round 2

In the eighth episode of The Voice season 4, the Battles continue with Round 2. Coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Shakira, and Usher have each paired up their team members for duets to be performed on stage. The coaches will then have to choose which of the two artists will advance to the next round of the competition.

The episode starts with a montage of rehearsals and the coaches giving feedback to their contestants. Each team has brought in a mentor to help them prepare for their duet. Adam has brought in Hillary Scott from Lady Antebellum, Blake has enlisted Sheryl Crow, Shakira is working with Joel Madden, and Usher has brought in Pharrell Williams.

The first pairing is from Team Adam, and the contestants are Judith Hill and Orlando Dixon. They will be performing "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown. Adam thinks they are a great match because they are both strong vocalists who can handle the song's powerful notes. During their last rehearsal, Hillary advises Judith to take her time with the song and not rush the notes, while Adam reminds Orlando to be more expressive with his body language. When they step on stage, the two contestants deliver an electrifying performance, showcasing their range and power. Adam is torn between the two but ultimately decides to advance Judith to the next round.

Next up is Team Blake's pairing of Holly Tucker and Luke Edgemon. They will be singing "What I Wouldn't Do" by Serena Ryder. Sheryl Crow advises them to make sure their harmonies are in sync and to play off each other's strengths. When they sing on stage, their voices blend beautifully, and they create a sense of intimacy that draws the coaches in. Blake chooses to move Holly forward.

Team Shakira's pairing of Karina Iglesias and Monique Abbadie will perform "The Power of Love" by Celine Dion. Shakira tells them to focus on their dynamics and make sure their harmonies are tight. Joel reminds the contestants to add moments of tension and release throughout the song. They both deliver strong performances, with Karina displaying her range and power while Monique hits the high notes with ease. Shakira chooses to keep Karina on her team.

Usher's pairing of Jess Kellner and Taylor Beckham will sing "You Know I'm No Good" by Amy Winehouse. Pharrell advises them to embrace the song's dark tones and add some grit to their voices. Usher suggests that they add some storytelling to the lyrics to create a more emotional connection with the audience. When they sing on stage, Jess brings a bluesy quality to the song, while Taylor displays a vulnerability that draws the audience in. Usher chooses to keep Taylor.

The last pairing of the episode is from Team Adam, consisting of Sarah Simmons and Warren Stone. They will perform "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi. Hillary reminds them to have fun with the song and let their personalities shine through. When they sing on stage, Sarah's voice soars through the song, while Warren adds some grit to the vocals. Adam is impressed with both of them, but ultimately chooses Sarah to advance.

As the episode comes to an end, the coaches reflect on the performances and the tough decisions they had to make. They are impressed with the contestants' growth and are eager to see how they will perform in the next round of the competition.