‘The Voice’ recap: The Top 9 (and Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani) bring the fire

The Top 9 turned up the heat in hopes of advancing to next week’s semifinals (yes, already) on Monday night’s episode of “The Voice,” turning in some of their most impressive performances to date. There was smoke, there was fire, there were even some steamy lyrics and smoldering stage moves. Many of the Season 10 hopefuls truly looked like stars burning bright.

But this season’s contenders weren’t the only performers whose sizzle we got to gawk at Monday. Florida Georgia Line showed off their trademark vocal blend with their song “H.O.L.Y.” And Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani -- coaches (current and past) and crazy lovebirds -- debuted their new duet, “Go Ahead and Break My Heart.”

Stefani looked spectacular in a nude-toned gown that was sheer in spots and modestly sparkly-leaf-covered in others. Shelton looked tall and handsome in a suit. And each of them looked at each other with what appeared to be a combination of encouragement, longing and understandable discomfort in being so prominently on display. They ended with a sweet hug, and we were all able to get back to the business at hand.

Speaking of which, here’s how the contestants’ performances went down:

Paxton Ingram (Team Blake): This onetime Shelton save tried to stay in America’s good graces by bringing an “acoustic vibe” and intensity to Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).” Christina Aguilera said Ingram put his “heart and soul” into it, as he does with everything he does, and turned in the “most rejoiceful version” of the song she had ever heard. Pharrell Williams said Ingram was “finding” himself and the songs that showed his voice in the best light. Adam Levine called Ingram an “infectious” performer. And Shelton said Ingram was the “one guy” in the competition who takes his performances “a notch higher” every week.

Mary Sarah (Team Blake): Shelton’s pretty, talented young country singer took on a current hit with a throwback feel, Maren Morris’ “My Church,” and gave a strong, confident performance that was her best yet. She definitely looked like a pro up there. Williams said Mary Sarah had seemed so connected and as if she were having so much fun that it looked as though she’d been performing her very own song. Levine agreed, using words like “spectacular” and “perfect.” And Shelton said Mary Sarah had had a “moment.”

Nick Hagelin (Team Christina): Rescued from the bottom two last week, Hagelin clearly felt he had something to prove with Drake’s “Hold On, We’re Going Home.” He threw every talent he had into the mix: playing guitar, working the stage, even showing off his ballet dance moves. The effect was a tad busy, but Hagelin still managed to look comfortable and appealing, as usual. Williams admired the way Hagelin had taken it “to the next level” and built a “stronger rapport with the audience.” Levine said he had brought out “all the stops” at the right time. Aguilera said Hagelin had shown how much he had grown.

Hannah Huston (Team Pharrell): Huston may be the last singer standing on Team Pharrell, but she also may be the only one he needs. The goofily charming and gorgeous, sincere yet stylish Nebraska preschool teacher (I finally placed it this week: Huston has sort of a Mary Tyler Moore vibe, no?) proved -- in case anyone was still doubting -- that she has the singing chops to potentially go the distance on the show this season, delivering an emotionally and vocally spot-on version of Jessie Ware’s “Say You Love Me.” Shelton told her it was his favorite performance by her of the season, adding that she looked “like a superstar” and that “superstardom” looked good on her. Aguilera agreed, saying that Huston’s growth, confidence and comfort were on full display. Williams begged America to vote her through.

Shalyah Fearing (Team Adam): This 16-year-old singer sought to sing something with “gravitas,” tackling Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” with appropriate historical respect, lyrical commitment and vocal intensity. Shelton called it “unbelievable” and said Fearing got “better and better every week.” Aguilera said that, while Fearing’s “low end” was something for her “to develop,” she had sounded “very authoritative” in her higher register. Levine called Fearing “so passionate” and “driven” and said she “really feels everything that she sings.” Reminding viewers of Fearing’s tender age, he asked: “How is that not so impressive?”

Laith Al-Saadi (Team Adam): The amply bearded, musically gifted Ann Arbor, Mich., blues singer paid tribute to both his hometown guy Bob Seger and his girlfriend, Karen, with Seger and the Silver Bullet Band’s “We’ve Got Tonight.” It wasn’t the most exciting performance, but it did make Karen cry and the coaches kvell. Williams encouraged America to vote for Al-Saadi, saying a vote for him was a chance to support the guy we all knew in high school who loved rock and roll and blues even if it no one else thought it was cool. Levine said Al-Saadi represented a “dying” thing, and encouraged everyone who thought that thing was important to throw the vote his way.

Adam Wakefield (Team Blake): Marginally less bearded than Al-Saadi, but no less musically gifted, Wakefield sought to show off his artistry with Bonnie Raitt’s “Love Has No Pride,” and brought at least three of the coaches to their feet. Aguilera called the performance “fiery,” herself a “huge fan,” and Wakefield’s performance style “so soulful and so strong.” Then she confessed that she had had a dream about the singer the other night, but declined to elaborate. “Lots of girls having dreams about you right now, I’m sure,” Shelton said, adding that Wakefield’s performance had been his best yet and that he expected to see him in the finale.

Alisan Porter (Team Christina): Porter, the season’s putative front-runner, gave another one of her gutsy, no-holds-barred performances, this time making Aerosmith’s “Cryin’” completely her own. Williams said that she’d channeled her “inner rock star” and served as an example of what moms -- “really successful women that happen to be mothers” -- can do. Aguilera marveled at the way Porter had balanced work and family and called her a “superstar.”

Bryan Bautista (Team Christina): The sexy former Brooklyn Barclays Center usher closed the night with a powerful, passionate take on Beyonce’s “1+1.” Levine said he was super impressed by Bautista’s potent upper register, which he said sounded “effortless” and “beautiful.” Aguilera called the performance “amazing” and begged Beyonce to do a duet with Bautista, predicting it would be “magic.”

On Tuesday night, the Top 8 will be revealed -- and then, next week, it’s on to the semifinals. Yup, the finale is only two weeks away. Crazy, right?