‘The Voice Australia’ 2016 Superbattles Review/Recap: The Koi Boys, Aaliyah Warren and Andrew Loadsman get coaches’ verdict (Part 1 of 3)

“The Voice Australia” 2016 got more intense as it took batches of four contestants to the ring for this year’s Super Battles. Each batch had a theme to tie together the songs that each contestant would sing. Some of the early favourites, like The Koi Boys and Andrew Loadsman, were among the first to be seen in the June 6 episode. Coaches Delta Goodrem, Ronan Keating, Benjie and Joel Madden, and Jessie J made tough cuts to pick the talents they would be taking through to the live shows next week.

Aaliyah Warren was also among the first to perform on Monday night, merely 24 hours after the viewers saw Jessie J’s reaction to the Maddens’ save. (Read the story here, the recap of the previous battles episode.)

‘The Voice Australia’ 2016 Super Battle 1: Team Jessie J sings Michael Jackson theme

Coach Jessie J took her remaining eight talents at the Universal Music Australia, which will sign a record deal with the winner of the competition. Then she announced the first batch to work the ring: Ashleigh Marshall, Mikaela Dean (saved from Team Ronan), Jack Pellow and The Koi Boys. Their theme: Michael Jackson. Jessie was clear: There will be no MJ karaoke in the ring. The pressure is on, indeed!

Unfortunately for the crowd pleasing group The Koi Boys, “Pretty Young Thing” did not help them prove to Jessie that they were ready for the live shows. Ashleigh’s voice was pretty in “Ben,” but Mikaela significantly stepped up her game with “They Don’t Care About Us.” For Jack Pellow, his artistry shone bright with “Billie Jean.”

Jessie didn’t think any of them is ready for the lives. But she took Mikaela, saying she “better fight for this.” For the second decision, she needed to speak to the other coaches for some help. She picked Jack Pellow despite telling the coaches earlier that she was having a hard time coaching him. There is just something about Pellow (and his nerves) that Jessie just couldn’t let go yet. Ashleigh and The Koi Boys went home.

‘The Voice Australia’ 2016 Super Battle 2: Team Madden switches genders and songs

Coaches Benjie and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte had a “crazy” theme for Nazzereene Taleb, Aaliyah Warren (saved from Team Jessie J), Blake Morgan and Andrew Loadsman. They called it “Boys and Girls.” In a crucial super battle, the Madden brothers though they would up the challenge a notch higher: girls will sing some boys’ songs, and vice versa.

Nazzereene was first with “Earned It” by The Weeknd. She sounded ready for the live shows! Blake was next with Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse.” His tone was interesting, but the song didn’t really work for him. Aaliyah came out stronger with Lukas Graham’s “7 Years.” Andrew was in a different league with “Lean On” by Major Lazer. In the end, the Maddens chose Andrew and Aaliyah. Nazzereene and Blake went home.

Jessie J seemed happy that Aaliyah will be on the live shows. She even said she was the best in the batch. However, she maintained that she might not be that ready yet.

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of reviews of “The Voice Australia” 2016 Superbattles, June 6 episode on Nine. The second part is right here.