Before reading this piece, check out our blog post on the first week of blind auditions if you missed it!

This week on “The Voice” was the second week of blind auditions. It featured singers from all over the world, including local Worcester resident, Cara Brindisi, who sang Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” and joined Gwen Stefani’s team. In addition to Brindisi’s audition, here are our top five must-watch performances from this week.

Our top five:

1. Parijita Bastola awed the audience with her beautiful cover of “Jealous” by Labrinth. When she started, we could immediately hear her vibrato and powerful tone. With unique note changes throughout and smooth runs, Bastola impressed the audience, earning herself a very well deserved four-chair turn. Bastola is the first ever Nepalese to audition for the show, and after her audition she gave each of the judges a Rudraksha bead necklace as a gift. In the end, Bastola chose John Legend as her coach and we totally agree with her decision; Legend’s coaching style fits her strong tone perfectly. 

2. Within the first five seconds, Andrew Igbokdi’s performance of Billie Elish’s “when the party’s over” convinced three coaches to turn around! Ten seconds later, the fourth coach turned around. Igbokdi’s layered tone and runs captivated the audience, and you could hear the emotion throughout the performance. Although we wanted Igbokdi to pick team Legend, he ended up picking team Camila Cabello.

3. Morgan Taylor showed everyone her incredible range, tone and stage presence in her rendition of Lizzo’s “Cuz I Love You.” Her performance was so powerful right from the start; three out of the four coaches turned their chairs within the first 20 seconds. Taylor displayed brilliant runs throughout her performance, and she became yet another four-chair turn contestant. In the end, she picked team Legend; we think this was a good choice because they both sing soulful pop. 

4. For her audition, Sasha Hurtado sang “River” by Bishop Briggs. Hurtado hit all the high notes in the song, and her tone was powerful and smooth. Both Legend and Cabello turned their chairs, but in the end Hurtado chose team Cabello. Hurtado is only 18 years old, so we are excited to see how she improves and develops her unique sound. 

5. Kayla Von Der Heide displayed her unique tone in her performance of “Jealous Guy” by John Lennon. With many layers and a mysterious sound, her tone and runs enhanced her vocals and timeless voice. Gwen Stefani and Legend turned for her, and in the end she chose team Stefani, a perfect decision given her unique sound. 

Coach Rosters (as of Sept. 27)

Team Stefani: Ian Harrison, Jay Allen, Alyssa Witrado, Sadie Bass, Cara Brindisi, Julia Aslanli, Tanner Howe, Kayla Von Der Heide, Destiny Leigh

Team Legend: Omar Cardona, Emma Brooke, David Andrew, Peyton Aldridge, Valarie Harding, Morgan Taylor, Parijita Bastola

Team Cabello: Morgan Myles, Orlando Mendez, Reina Ley, Devix, Chello, Andrew Igbokidi, Ava Lynn Thuresson, Sasha Hurtado, Sydney Kronmiller, Eric Who

Team Shelton: Kate Kalvach, Bryce Leatherwood, Kevin Hawkins, Brayden Lape, The Dryes, Madison Hughes, Tanner Fussell, Eva Ullmann

Make sure to join us next week as the blind auditions continue and the coaches fill their teams!