Only a talent, or a complete fool, would cover an Adele song for their Blind Audition.
Aiden Ross is very much a talent.
The 20-year-old native of College Station, TX stepped into the nervous first round of The Voice, and got chairs swiveling fast with his soulful rendition of “Love in the Dark,” from Adele’s 2015 album 25.
Coach Snoop Dogg went first, followed swiftly by Michael Bublé, then Reba McEntire, and finally Niall Horan, for a four-chair turn.
The coaches, all of them, were decided within 15 seconds of Ross’ first note. And each got on their feet to praise the new arrival.
“What planet are you from,” was Horan’s opening gambit, a nod to this out-of-this world vocal performance. The Irishman was impressed that the youngster, in such a stressful situation, could take an Adele song and “make it your own. It was literally like you’d written the thing.” And hitting those bigger notes, he did it “with ease,” the former One Direction singer remarked. That was all part of Horan’s slick pitch.
McEntire didn’t mess about. She said the singer was “mesmerizing” and she “couldn’t wait” to turn and see the face that goes with the voice.
Then it was Bublé’s turn. The reigning champion coach remarked: “You have a beautiful voice, and you can tell all four of us were enchanted by it.” And the Canadian crooner, well, he’s good at this game, he’s good at guiding a singer, connecting with them, helping them choose their songs and progress. Who’s to argue?
Snoop was certain he had an instant connection with Ross, one that required a look and nothing more. And a short rap. “You see that,” he quipped, “that’s Ross the Boss. So it’s our win and your loss. But what is the cost?” And then the gloves, or rather, the dark glasses came off. “Join my team, we win this thing, then after we talk about making your own music,” he insisted. “Like putting that record out.”
For a moment, Ross held all the aces. And he had a serious decision to make.
In the end, he selected a clearly-thrilled Horan as his coach. Season 28 of The Voice airs at 8 p.m. ET Monday night on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Watch Ross’s audition below now.