What a festive opening to the solo round! That’s right. We’ve survived lines and groups and all those other peasant rounds, and now we’re here — solo performances. There’s no feedback at solo rounds because inside yourAmerican Idol soul, you know how you did. All that you have is your song and the arrangement that you and the live band have worked on together. Other contestants can’t watch you — it’s just a small groups of friends and family. So at least all of the contestants have that to look forward to — everyone except for poor Stephany Negrete, who has to face solo round alone this week.

StephanyNegrete’s father just recently had a heart procedure, causing him to miss her audition. She starts the night with Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” which is ambitious to say the least. Stephany has a strong voice, but AdeleisAdele. It’s tired and cliché, but there’s Whitney and Céline and Adele, and with all the artists you can choose, it seems irresponsible to choose someone like that. Regardless, the judges liked it.Thomas Stringfellow chooses “A Thousand Years,” but I can’t hear him over his overtly hipster flat-bill hat and matching Urban Outfitters scarf. Of all the quirky teen boys, Mr. Stringfellow isn’t rising to the top for me.

Avalon Young chooses Ariana Grande’s “One Last Time” and continues to prove that it’s not the clunkiness of your sweater that matters but rather your ability to strip down an upbeat song and make it a ballad.Olivia Rox chooses an original song becauseof course she does. Even though she’s still rocking the pink hair, she’s seems to come into her own a bit.

Then there’sJohn Wayne Schulz. I like John, but I’m a little surprised he’s still in the competition. His voice isn’t the most distinctive, but he has a great story and is a presence that could a long way. But he’s not wearing his hat tonight, so who knows if he still has those charming cowboy superpowers? He chooses “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” by Keith Urban and does okay with it. He’s not going to be the guy that blows your socks off with a vocal, but he’s also like 74 feet tall and 1,000 percent American, so I’m not complaining about it.

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After some opening performances, we get a little more perspective into the solo song-selection process. Apparently there’s a list of options, but only three people can choose a single song. Anyway,Tristan McIntosh is devastated because she wanted “What Hurts the Most” — it’s really personal to her. It reminds her of her mom while she was in Kuwait. What’ssuper awkward is that music video is definitely about a loved one dying, so maybe let’s not tell Tristan that. Another girl gives the song up for Tristan, but for a song that meantso much to Tristan, I’m a little surprised that it didn’t feel anything stronger than a regular (still powerful) Tristan performance.

Round out the first half hour,MacKenzie Bourg chooses an original song called “Roses.” I’m not upset about it like I was with Olivia Rox because MacKenzie doesn’t feel as forced. His song sounds like it should be on the radio, and it even gives me J. Lo goosies. I know he’s a white guy with a guitar, but with his songwriting skills, I think MacKenzie could have a serious career ahead of him.

Shelbie Z. sings “Alone,” with a giant scarf tied around her microphone in the way that you’d think Shelbie Z. would. She’s good, but it’s hard to compete when you haveKory Wheeler’s raspy version of “Fix You” on your tail.James VIII follows with a solid rendition of “Wicked Game.” But solid isn’t always a good word. At solo round, you have to stand out, which is why we need to talk about Sonika.

NEXT: Not here to make friends

Sonika Vaid chooses Ariana Grande, again. I would be okay with Sonika winning if she gets pushed to be something bigger than an Ariana Grande/Carrie Underwood cover artist. Iknow that Sonika can sing Ariana and Carrie. I want to hear her take that voice to a Beach Boys song. Or Korn. Or something that would be surprising. I want Sonika to be bigger than Sonika is right now.

But following that rant on standing out, we get a lesson in making friends. With all the time they spend together, all the contestants have started making friends. But none of those friendships are deeper than the one betweenLee Jean andSara Sturm. Lee Jean goes after a pitch perfect rendition of “Stitches.”This is the Lee Jean I’ve been waiting for. His adorable friend follows with a version of “Somewhere Only We Know,” and it’s decent but it’s not Lee Jean level. They give each other good marks, but as I sit here on the other side of the television, finishing my seventh chicken tender, I can be honest with everyone. Sara is no Lee Jean, and that’s fine. Peeta and Katniss can only happen once, so don’t eat the berries, kid.

Jenn Blosil decided to take on “True Colors,” in an adorable suspender/bedazzled sweater combo.Emily Brooke follows with a rendition of “What Hurts the Most.” Both girls cry after questionable vocals, but even with Jenn and Emily’s struggles, it appears thateverybody is coming down with the laryngitis. PoorMalie Delgado takes on “Stitches,” and her voice literally falls apart when she’s singing it. She’s dealing with laryngitis, and it takes no prisoners.Mionne Destiny goes after “Chains,” with a toned down version of laryngitis. But it’sJessica Cabral who ends up overcoming some serious sickness. She nails her song and seems to lock in a spot in the next round.

The night winds down withJoshua Wicker, who was my favorite worship leader (and there were SO MANY this season) when he auditioned, but now he’s just kind of upset and crying and a little shrieky. I don’t know if he’s missing his new daughter or what, but whoa — his rendition of “A Thousand Years” wasnot impressive. On the other end,CJ Johnson’s shrieky version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way,” wasn’t bad at all. The judges agree.

But you didn’t come here for that — you came here forJeneve Rose Mitchell, whose scarf game is stronger than yours will ever be. She keeps with final-four tradition and seems to just yell “Danny’s Song.” She’s pretty proud of her performance, but Jennifer Lopez is ready to send her home. In a total change of pace,Dalton Rapattoni does not scream but instead goes after a surprisingly timely “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” Julianne Hough will have no comment on the matter until he does it live, on a soundstage.

With that, the judges take to the deliberation table and argue over who is going to move forward and who isn’t. In the waiting room, the contestants all look like they’re about to vomit, but you know they won’t because vomitcannot be good for your singing voice. Finally a producer approaches, calling out names, separating the hopefuls into three separate rooms.

One room is sent home, and poor Josh Wicker and John Wayne Schulz are among those who get axed — and our BEST worship leader is gone. We fall from 75 to 50, but only 24 of those can make it through. With one more night of auditions left, who will make the cut, or as I like to put it, who will Michelle Marie shamelessly leave in the wake of her Rachel Berry path to stardom.

Guess we’ll find out on Thursday.