Former contestants from The Voice released more than 60 albums and EPs in 2017.
Below, you’ll find mini reviews of the albums and EPs released this year. Below that, you’ll find a sample track from each album or EP, at least in cases where they’re available on Spotify.
If you know of any albums or EPs I’ve missed, please let me know by commenting below or emailing me at [email protected]. There are now more than 600 former contestants of The Voice, and tracking new music released by 600 artists can be challenging, especially with their tendency to change stage names.
For singles released 2017, head here. For 2017 music videos, head here.
Happy listening. You’re bound to find some treasures below.
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Vedo
“From Now On”
Released: Dec. 8, 2017
Finish: Top 10, Season 4
Well, there will be no mistaking who you’re listening to since the Season 4 alum squeezes the phrase “It’s Vedo, baby” into the opening of nearly every song on the 11-track album. “The Real One” and “Slow” are the most popular of the 11 tracks on iTunes. Vedo is one of the most productive post-Voice artists; he also released six stand-alone singles in 2017.
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Danielle Bradbery
“I Don’t Believe We’ve Met”
Released: Dec. 1, 2017
Finish: 1st, Season 4
The album title is a nod to the fact that Danielle was 16 and didn’t have a song-writing credit on her 2013 debut release. This time around, she wrote or co-wrote seven of the 10 songs, including three of the best tracks, lead single “Sway,” “Potential” and the excellent album-closing “Laying Low.” Also be sure to check out “Human Diary.”
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Gwen Sebastian
“Once Upon a Time in the West, Act 1”
Released: Nov 17, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 2
Gwen wanted an album that sounded a bit like a Tarantino soundtrack, a bit like an old Spaghetti Western. She serves up plenty of tracks worth a listen, including three songs she co-wrote with Miranda Lambert. Besides the title track, standouts include “Cadillac,” “Losers and Lashes” and “Cry to Jackson” Act 1, of course, means there will be an Act 2.
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Jacquie (Lee)
“The Only One” EP
Released: Nov. 17, 2017
Finish: 2nd, Season 5
Jacquie, just 15 when she auditioned for The Voice, is 20 now. The songs on her first independent release as about the difficult transition she went through as she moved from Colt’s Neck, N.J. to Los Angeles in search of her sound and place in music. The clear highlight is the title track, “Am I the Only One.
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Keaira LaShae
“Purple Crown”
Released: Nov. 10, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 5
Since The Voice, Keaira has launched a dance and fitness website, released an EP of dance/workout music (“Dance, Move, Werk” from 2016) and now she’s doing a cooking show on the Congo TV Network. She’s also released this seven-track R&B EP. The highlight is the closing track, “Special,” which is.
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Meghan Linsey
“Bold Like a Lion”
Released: Nov. 3, 2017
Finish: 2nd, Season 8
Meghan intended the title to fit her demeanor, but the music here is bold too — pop/soul rather than the country that was her claim to fame with Steel Magnolia in her pre-Voice days. The album includes collaborations with Fred Schneider of the B-52’s and a great slap at internet trolls called “Say It to My Face” with Aloe Blacc. On her own, Meghan is at her best on the ballad “Mr. Homewrecker.”
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Todd Kessler
“About Memory”
Released: Nov. 3, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 3
Lots of Voice fans probably don’t remember Todd, who was part of The Voice’s 64-contestant third season. They might want to get re-introduced after this impressive eight-track singer-songwriter album. They certainly should hear the two singles, “Old Fashioned Way” and “The Letter.” And, no, the latter isn’t a cover of the 1960s hit by The Box Tops.
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Mark Isaiah
“Mona Lisa” EP
Released: Nov. 3, 2017
Finish: Top 10, Season 12
This marks the major project debut for the young pop singer from Mount Pocono, Pa., who made a splash on Team Adam Levine in Season 12. Highlights are lead single “Wanna Go” and EP-ending “Can’t Stay.” On both, Mark sings part of the song in Spanish. The bad news: Besides those two tracks, Mark’s going to need much better songs to be successful post-Voice.
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Craig Wayne Boyd
“Top Shelf”
Released: Oct. 27, 2017
Finish: 1st, Season 7
The Season 7 champ’s post-show debut album had more starts and stops than a Voice episode chock full of commercials. But it’s here and it’s tough to argue with a project that includes songs like the fun “Hold On Me,” the swaggering “Sweet Temptation” and the deliciously swampy “We Sweat.” Prefer a ballad? CWB ends the album with a fine one, “Only in My Mind.”
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Taylor John Williams
“El Dorado”
Released: Oct. 27, 2017
Finish: 5th, Season 7
In eight tracks, Taylor shares the feelings he experienced after moving from his home in Oregon to Los Angeles in the summer of 2016, a transition he says has “filled, broken, repaired, destroyed and eventually strengthened this 26 year old heart of mine.” It also made for good music, especially on the title track, “Like the Movies” and “Up North.”
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Joshua Davis
“The Way Back Home”
Released: Oct. 13, 2017
Finish: 3rd, Season 8
This marks Joshua’s first project since The Voice and his first album since 2013’s “A Miracle of Birds.” It’s features previously released “Let Me In” and “Always Going to be Here” and those tunes remain highlights, alongside the wonderfully uplifting “Change the Game” and the album ending “The Ballad of Lawrence Wotkyns King.” Now that’s a mouthful of a song title.
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Laith Al-Saaid
“A 75th Birthday Tribute to Jimi Hendrix” EP
Released: Oct. 6, 2017
Finish: 4th, Season 10
After Laith covered Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower” to earn an instant save and a spot in the Season 10 finals, fans requested he release the song. He did better than that, serving up a six-and-a-half minute, guitar solo filled version along with covers of three other songs by the Jimi in the year that would have marked his 75th birthday.
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The Shades (Andrew DeMuro)
“Miles Made of Inches” EP
Released: Oct. 6, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 11
The Shades include Season 11 contestant Andrew DeMuro and friends Mark and Phil Jacobson and this six-track EP marks their debut project. You’ll be forgiven if you hear shades of Crosby, Stills and Nash in songs like “The Path Without” and “Wildfire.” But the highlight of the EP is the addictive “Only for a Moment.”
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Johnny Hayes and the Loveseats
“Johnny Hayes and the Loveseats”
Released: Oct. 2, 2017
Finish: Season 12, Top 12
Post-show, Johnny went back to performing with his pre-show band The Loveseats. He describes them as a “rock and soul” band, but they also have a distinctive throwback sound. A single called “Slow Dance” came first, followed by this 10-track album, where the emphasis is on fun mid-tempo tunes like “Everybody’s Got Their Night.” Johnny and the Loveseats kick into high gear for “Sweet Sensation,” the album’s standout track.
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Lane Mack
“Swampodisiac” EP
Released: Sept. 19
Finish: Battle round, Season 11
Swampy is a great description of this impressive five-track EP from Lane Mack, so the title is appropriate. Considering the strength of the EP, so was the Top 5 showing on the iTunes blues charts on release day. It’s the first EP from Lane since his appearance on The Voice. If you have to be choosy, “Dynamite” and “Hell on the Backside” are the best of the kick-butt tracks. But the slower “Water is Rising” might be the EP’s best track.
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Brian Long
“Scorpio”
Released: Sept. 15, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 11
The veteran Arizona-based songwriter serves up 10 reasons why he should have lasted much longer on Season 11 of The Voice. His deep rich voice, full of experience, is particularly effective on “Silver and Gold,” “Down” and “I Disappear.” The 10-track album marks the ninth released by Blaine, who was 40 when he auditioned for the show.
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Patrick Thomas
“Patrick Thomas EP”
Released: Sept. 15, 2017
Finish: Top 16, Season 1
Six years after The Voice, Patrick releases a six-track debut EP that’s certainly worth a listen from country music fans. “Katy,” “Bulletproof Kiss” and “Closure” are standout tracks from the young man who’s been traveling the country as part of a county revue show with symphony orchestras.
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Reagan James
“Honey” EP
Released: Sept. 15, 2017
Finish: Top 10, Season 7
Reagan, just 15 when she auditioned for the show, calls this 5-track mixtape “the most eclectic, soulful, colorful group of songs I’ve ever written.” That said, the standout is the delightfully sassy and sultry and rap-infused “Better Than This.” The EP marked Reagan’s second this season and third since The Voice.
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Trevor Davis
“Shoreline”
Released: Sept. 7, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 4
The first major release since 2011 for singer-songwriter Trevor. In the interim, he and wife Heidi lost one child (Mazelle) shortly after birth and celebrated the arrival of a second child, Anja. This nine-track also marked the first Christian / gospel project from Trevor. Standout songs include “Bones,” “Think of You” and “When the Whip Becomes a Blessing.” The album cracked the Top 20 on iTunes Christian albums chart.
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Missy Robertson
“The Worship Project” EP
Released: Sept. 2, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 12
Pre-Voice, Missy was part of a Christian group called the Out-Go with sister Crissy and Cole Callejo. Also a worship leader and inspirational speaker, she describes this as her “first worship project.” Among the three tracks, “I Will Stand” stands out.
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Chase Kerby
“Lines” EP
Released: Sept. 1, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 9
The third solo EP and the second since The Voice for the Oklahoma-based singer-songwriter. “Lines” features three tracks, with “Fountain of Youth” standing out; Chase says proceeds will go toward a solo album. “Lines” follows the six-track “A Quiet Man,” released in 2015. Pre-Voice, Chase also released music with the band Defining Times.
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Josh West
“Proof of Concept”
Released: Aug. 18, 2017
Finish: Top 20, Season 12
The young rocker who auditioned for the show at age 17 shows off his range and his song-writing chops on an eight-track album. My favorites: “Is It Me” and the album-ending “Thinking Out Loud.”
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Taylor Phelan
“1 of 2” EP
Released: Aug. 18, 2017
Finish: Top 20 Season 7
The indie-rockeer serves up the first of two planned EPs, hence the title of this one. Standout songs include “Monsters,” first released in 2016, and the defiant “Backstabber,” but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a weak track. Lead single “Settle Down,” a reaction to the nation’s unsettled political climate, into an imaginative music video.
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Adanna Duru
“Stardive”
Released: Aug. 18, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 3
Adanna was bumped from The Voice early in Season 3 but made it all the way to the Top 11 on American Idol three springs later. Her eight-track debut album is a versatile effort and certainly not bound by pop conventions (one song runs 6 minutes). You’ll want to check out the addictive tongue-in-cheek “Quinn” and the balad “Are You Gonna Call.”
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Michael Sanchez
“Hymns”
Released: Aug. 12, 2017
Finish: Knockout round, Season 11
Michael is now focused on Christian music and a staff member with Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, Calif. That’s the background behind this collection of 11 popular Christian songs, which include “Peace in the Valley,” Alan Jackson’s “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and Randy Travis’ “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.”
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Alisan Porter
“I Come in Pieces” EP
Released: Aug. 11, 2017
Finish: 1st, Season 10
Alisan said she turned her back on her deal with Republic Records for the sake of artistic integrity, meaning the Season 10 champ wound up releasing this five-track EP independently. Featuring top tracks like “Change” and “Nothing’s Enough,” the EP nevertheless cracked the Top 15 on iTunes pop albums chart when released.
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Koryn Hawthorne
“Koryn Hawthorne” EP
Released: Aug. 11
Finish: 4th, Season 9
Though signed to RCA Inspiration as a Christian artist, Koryn, 19, said she didn’t want to be boxed in musically, then proved it by releasing this four-track debut EP. “Warriors” and “Speak the Name” are top tracks. The former opens with a rock vibe, the latter is a throwback sounding ballad from the young woman who was just 16 when she auditioned for the show.
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Gina Zo
“Free Your Soul”
Released: July 28, 2017
Finish: Battle Round, Season 10
Chalk up a second album this year from Gina, who used her full last name (Castanzo) when competing on The Voice. And she certainly displays a free and spirited soul on songs like “GroupLove” on “Drunk on a Tuesday.” Another track you should check out is the more pop-sounding “My Heart.”
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Debo MusicTrappa
“30” EP
Released: July 27, 2017
Finish: Top 20, Season 3
De’borah Garner used just her first name as a contestant on The Voice, when she wowed us with her voice. She released her new three-track EP as Debo MusicTrappa. And while she calls it genreless, it’s full of funk, especially the delightful “Freakfly.”
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Missy Robertson
“My Relection”
Released: July 26, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 12
A Christian album that’s as diverse as you’ll find as the worship leader / inspirational speaker shares her message of faith with a dash of dash, a little pop and a lot of soul. The lead track, the dancy “1-2-3” is a highlight, but Missy mixes in some ballads as well.
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Adam Wakefield
“Adam Wakefield” EP
Released: July 21, 2017
Finish: 2nd, Season 10
The Season 10 runner-up followed up the release of a soulful single (“Blame It on Me”) written by fellow contestant Nolan Neal with this six-track EP. Highlights include a pair of ballads – “Love is Blind” and “Lovin’ Me Bad” and the rollicking “Motorcycles and Cigarettes.”
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Jamar Rogers
“Lazarus”
Released: July 14, 2017
Finish: Top 8, Season 2
Jamar called his 10-track album a five-year labor of love with the goal of lifting listeners “spirit on bad days.” Mission accomplish. Oh, and Jamar has also released on of the most original post-Voice albums of 2017. Highlights include the album-opening “Baptize Me” and the impassioned “Let Me Treat You.”
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Joe Maye
“Sol” EP
Released: July 12, 2017
Finish: Top 24, Season 10
The guy best remembered for his impromptu blind audition duet with Christina Aguilera (9 million views on YouTube) serves up a diverse seven-track EP. Top tracks include a decadent rocker called “Stick Up Love,” released as a single in 2016, and an addictive pop tune called “Satellite.”
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Nakia
“Wine to Water (The Outtakes)”
Released: June 30, 2017
Finish: Top 8, Season 1
Pre-Voice Nakia performed in Austin, Texas, with a backing band known as His Southern Cousins. And to celebrate a 10-year reunion with those folks, he released seven outtakes from their 2009 album, “Wine to Water.” Of course, you might have trouble believing songs like “Nuthin’ But,””Lincoln Cadillac” and “Cold” are outtakes because they sound so good.
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Keith Semple
“For One Night Only” EP
Released: June 30, 2017
Finish: Top 20, Season 9
Keith and his band return to pop rock after his country-tinged first post-Voice EP, “Anytime Anywhere.” Highlights among the five new tracks include a pair of uptempo tunes, “One’s with the Money” and “Don’t Understand.” Keith said the EP was a collaborative effort, with all four band members contributing to the song-writing for the first time.
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Felicia Temple
“The Balancing Act” EP
Released: June 23, 2017
Finish: Top 24, Season 12
The singing nurse said she started this six-song project when she was battling cancer, before she even knew she’d be on The Voice. Felicia also wrote and produced the songs. Highlights include the sultry “No One But You” and “Okay, Alright,” a thank you to her supporters as she balanced work, singing and her recovery.
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Christina Grimmie
“All Is Vanity”
Released: June 9, 2017
Finish: 3rd, Season 6
This 10-track album landed one day before the first anniversary of Christina’s tragic death at age 22, when she was shot by a crazed fan following a show in Florida. Three songs from “Side B” (see below) are repeated. Highlights among the new tunes: “Steady Love” and “Pressure.” The album’s title comes from a Bible verse she had tattooed on the inside of her right forearm.
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Kat Robichaud
“Misfit Cabaret”
Released: June 2, 2017
Finish: Top 10, Season 5
Kat unleashed a theatrical rock explosion with her first post-show album in 2015, then created “a saucy variety show” in San Francisco called Misfit Cabaret for which she writes original music. This album features songs from those shows. Best of the 10 tracks: the rocking “Bully” and the impassioned “White Snow, White Dress,” inspired by the story of Edward Scissorhands.
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Aaron Gison
“Songs for You” EP
Released: June 1, 2017
Finish: Top 8, Season 11
The second major project in as many months from Aaron, who dropped a full-length, full-band alternative rock album (“That’s What”) in May. Vocally, this is even more impressive because the acoustic approach puts Aaron’s range and rasp front and center, especially on the lead track “A Song for You.” The five tracks also include a duet with Season 11 Voice colleague Halle Tomlinson (“Have Your Way”).
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Michelle Chamuel
“Insights and Turnpikes”
Released: May 30, 2017
Finish: 2nd, Season 4
This 10-track album from the DIY expert who wrote the songs and played all the instruments is split into Turnpikes — the electro-pop we’ve come to expect from Michell — and Insights — more stripped down tunes. Highlights: “What Am I (Looking For)” among the Turnpikes and “In My Blood” and “The Final Swim” among the Insights.
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Sheena Brook
“The First Time” EP
Released: May 27, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 12
The Fort Myers, Fla., based singer-songwriter wrote the title track about her wife Summer Stockton, but also called the EP “The First Time” because it marks her first EP of originals with “my vision of what I am as an artist.” The four tracks include a catchy country-pop track called “Voodoo,” the high-energy “Lime in My Whiskey” and a song co-written with Summer.
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Aaron Gibson
“That’s What”
Released: May 22, 2017
Finish: Top 8, Season 11
A hard-charging first full-length alternative rock album from Aaron, who made Voice history by earning three straight instant saves once the Season 11 finals began. The 10 tracks could have used a little more diversity, but the album-opening trio of “Just a Little More,” “Play with Fire” and “This Disaster” is tough to beat. Pre-Voice, Aaron released a trio of EPs, one as the Aaron Gibson Trio.
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Jake Worthington
“Hell of a Highway” EP
Released: May 19, 2017
Finish: 2nd, Season 6
Remember when Jake Worthington couldn’t turn a chair on Season 5 of The Voice? Now he’s two EPs into a country music career and touring almost constantly. The highlight of this five-track sophomore EP is the flat-out fun “How Do You Honky Tonk,” which Jake co-wrote with Jody Booth. Fans of throwback country should check out the ballad “A Lot of Room to Talk.”
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Suzanna Choffel
“Hello Goodbye”
Released: May 12, 2017
Finish: Knockout round, Season 3
Suzanna’s first album since 2013 was delayed by the birth of her daughter, Lulu, but her distincitive vocals certainly haven’t changed. They’re especially effective on “Continental Drift,” the opening song on this 11-track album, and on the upbeat, more pop-flavored “Follow.” Another highlight: The album-closing “Wish You Well.”
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Katelyn Read
“We’ve Come This Far” EP
Released: May 12, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 8
An impressive seven-track singer-songwriter EP, partly funded by a Kickstarter campaign. Highlights include “Brick + Mortar,” “Movin’ On” and the touching ballad “Scars.” The latter is based on Katelyn’s reflections on giving birth to her daugther at age 19. Katelyn also released a five-track pre-show EP in 2014.
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Nick Hagelin
“The Water”
Released: May 5, 2017
Finish: Top 9, Season 10
Less pop and more sultry singer-songwriter sexiness marks Nick’s first major post-Voice effort. Highlights include lead single “Bloon Moon,” the catchiest song in the collection, the more acoustic “Faith” and sizzling “No Hands.” This seven-track EP comes from a guy who released a pair of albums and a pair of EPs before landing a spot on Season 10.
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Luke Edgemon
“Sweeter Ground”
Released: April 28, 2017
Finish: Knockout round, Season 4
Since The Voice, Luke worked as a background singer on “Glee” for five seasons and appeared on TV performing alongside Lady Gaga at the 2017 Super Bowl halftime show. This five-track EP stems from his decision that it was time to step out of the background and create some “diamonds” of his own. Top among them: an addictive pop tune called “Same Stars” and a lovely ballad “Don’t Try to Make Me Feel Better.”
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Reagan James
“Message”
Released: April 28, 2017
Finish: Top 10, Season 7
This six-track mix tape from Reagan marks her second major release since The Voice and her third album overall, and she’s still just 18. She’s clearly still experimenting with her sound as well. Top tracks here are the funky “Can’t Stop” and “Millionaire,” about a young woman who’s let love slip away.
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Christina Grimmie
“Side B” EP
Released: April 21, 2017
Finish: 3rd, Season 6
In 2016, prior to her tragic death, Christina released a brilliant EP called “Side A.” Determined to keep her legacy alive, her family followed up with “Side B,” featuring five previously unreleased tracks. Highlights include “The Game,” “I Only Miss You When You Breathe” and a cover of Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up.”
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Gabriel Wolfchild and The Northern Light
“Mornings Like These”EP
Released: April 14, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 8
Gabriel launched a Kickstarter to fund this project, declaring “the days of singing sad songs alone are over.” He fulfilled that promise with the help of Seattle music collaborators The Northern Light and songs filled with hope, including a pair of superb singles, “Shipwrecks” and “Runaways.”
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Gigi Rich
“All in My Head” EP
Released: March 31, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 7
She was 18-year-old Gianna Salvato on The Voice, but adopted a new stage name to reflect a new sound and new maturity in her music. Both work on this five-track EP, featuring the catchy single “Same Kind of Crazy” and the absolutely gorgeous vocal on a ballad called “Still Want You.”
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RaeLynn
“WildHorse”
Released: March 24, 2017
Finish: Top 16, Season 2
Five years after appearing on The Voice, RaeLynn finally got to release this debut album after a label switch to Warner Nashville. It turned out to be one of the most successful post-show albums ever, debuting at number 20 on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Billboard country albums chart. The 11 tracks feature the touching lead single “Love Triangle” plus plenty of other standout tracks, including “Insecure,” “Diamonds,” “Trigger” and the title track. RaeLynn previously scored a hit single with “God Made Girls” (2014) and released a five-track EP called “Me” (2015).
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The Swon Brothers
“Pretty Cool Scars” EP
Released: March 17, 2017
Finish: 3rd, Season 4
Chalk up a second standout EP for Zach and Colton since leaving Sony Music following their 2014 debut album. “Don’t Call Me” is the lead single. But my favorite tracks are a piece of pop-country ear candy called “About Last Night” and the raucous party tune “Dwight Trashed” during which they do a lot of country name dropping.
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Dan Shafer
“Rise Above”
Released: March 10, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 11
The veteran performer has packaged remastered versions of some previously released tunes and some never-before-released originals for a nine-track post-show album. There are two versions of “Leaving Virginia,” one of the standout tracks. Another highlight is a rocker called “Pour Your Love.”
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Skinny-E (Evan McKeel)
“Brown Paper Bag”
Released: Feb. 24, 2017
Finish: Top 11, Season 9
During his Voice exit interview, Evan McKeel said he already had a lot of music ready to release. He’s fulfilled that promise, delivering a “Live Session No. 1” EP last year, followed by this 10-track singer-songwriter album. It’s his best yet and the best of the 10 tracks is a ballad called “Always.”
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Gina Zo (Castanzo)
“My Weakness”
Released: Feb. 14, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 10
Gina Castanzo wisely shortened her stage name to Gina Zo, released a debut single in August, then followed up with this promising nine-track singer-songwriter album. My favorite tracks come when Gina picks up the tempo, like on “Gypsy Sounds” and “Set Me Free.” The album also includes that single, “Lost.”
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Cali Tucker
“Cover Girl”
Released: Feb. 14, 2017
Finish: 1st battle round, Season 6
A clever title seeing as how Cali looks like a cover girl and the album consists of 11 covers. And the niece of country superstar Tanya Tucker doesn’t stick to her roots since those covers range from Etta James’ “At Last” to Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” to Hozier’s “Take Me to Church.”
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Dia Frampton
“Bruises”
Released: Feb. 13, 2017
Finish: 2nd, Season 1
What started out as a second Archis project turned into Dia’s first solo album since 2011’s post-Voice “Red.” Regardless of how it came to be, these 12 magical tracks get better with each listen. Tracks you absolutely shouldn’t miss include “Dead Man,” “Chances,” “Blind” and the glorious album ending “Die Wild.”
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Siahna
“Untouchable” EP
Released: Feb. 4, 2017
Finish: Knockout round, Season 9
Siahna Im was just 15 when she auditioned for The Voice in 2015. She dropped her last name for her debut release, a 7-track pop EP. “Warrior” was the lead single and she released a video for the song in late 2016. But the standout track is the electro-pop “Circus.”
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Rebecca Loebe
“Blink”
Released: Feb. 3, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 1
The self-described “gypsy minstrel” serves up her fifth album and her first since 2012’s “Circus Heart.” And have no doubt, this is Rebecca’s best yet, an 11-song collection that is every bit as good when Rebecca’s slows things down (“Easy Money,” “Weeping Willow”) as when she speeds things up (“Cannonball,” “Forever Young Forever.” Then there’s the incredibly addictive “Bad Things.” Do not miss this album!
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Anthony Evans
“Back to Life”
Released: Feb. 3, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 2
Anthony released three Christian albums before he appeared on The Voice; this marks his second since and a return to more traditional Christian music after experimenting with more of a techno pop sound on 2014’s “Real Life / Real Worship.” The best of the 11 tracks include the title track, “See You Again,” “Because of Your Prayers” and a rousing cover of “Ever Be.”
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Josh Halverson
“Year of the Thunderbird”
Released: Jan. 30, 2017
Finish: Top 20, Season 11
With the help of a Pledge Music campaign, Josh released his second album of Americana folk rock just a month and a half after Season 11 ended and named it after his young son, Thunderbird. Can’t miss tunes include the retro-rocker “Show Me Baby,” and a pair of county-tinged tunes “Out My Window” and “All Will See.”
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Dustin Christensen
“Sad Songs Mixes 1 & 2”
Released: Jan. 27, 2017
Finish: Top 20, Season 9
Don’t let the title discourage you. While the best songs on the album — “The Rio Grande,” “Hollow Town” and “You Could’ve Loved Me” — fit the “sad songs” theme, Dustin’s vocals are so good you won’t be disappointed. A bit more uplifting is the album closing “Ruler of Your Heart.” This marks Dustin’s post-Voice debut and his first album since “Highway Lines” in 2011.
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Tje Austin
“I Belong to You” EP
Released: Jan. 20, 2017
Finish: Battle round, Season 1
An impressive and versatile seven-track EP from a guy who wound up fighting a three-year battle with cancer following his 2011 appearance on the show. The excellent EP-ending “Everybody Goes Away” stems from that experience. Other top tracks include the lovely title ballad and the country-tinged “Whiskey.” This marks Tje’s third major release since The Voice.
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Luke Wade
“Only Ghosts”
Released: Jan. 13, 2017
Finish: Top 8, Season 7
The long-awaited album from the Season 7 standout — his first since the show — doesn’t disappoint. “Three Days,” released as a single in the run-up to the album is the standout track. But the followup to his 2014 album “The River” isn’t short on highlights. They also include “Someone Like You,” “Say It Out Loud” and “While I Was Away.”
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Nelly’s Echo
“I’m Okay” EP
Released: Jan. 7, 2017
Finish: Battle Round, Season 3
The only problem with the latest EP from Baltimore-based Nelson Emokpae: At four songs, it’s way to fleeting. That’s especially case after hearing the addictive title track and the lovely EP closing ballad, featuring a big vocal assist from female vocalist Chrystian Barnes.Since the show, Nelly’s Echo has also released an album (2013’s “Journey”) and another EP (2015’s “Voices”).
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Below are the promised music samples. Three songs — “Die Wild,” “Quinn” and “Stick Up Love” — come with explicit lyric warnings.
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