Adam Levine will miss Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green on 'The Voice'.

The coaches are taking a season off to focus on their respective music careers and fellow mentor Adam admitted it is an adjustment but is excited about their replacements Usher and Shakira.

He told TV Guide: ''Christina and Cee Lo are so close to my heart because we went through the show becoming a success together and Usher and Shakira are coming into it as a big fricking institution. So it's different but it still feels good because they are legitimate artists.

''I knew Usher before. We've worked in the studio a couple of times together. Shakira is a new friend but I love her dearly already. She's so sweet and adorable and hilarious.''

While Adam is close to the other original coach Blake Shelton, he admits it is better to keep them separated as they spend too much time talking to each other.

He said: ''We need to be separated. If Blake and I sat next to each other, we'd never get anything done. We already yap across the room like we're yelling across a dinner table.''