Artists choose their duet partners in first-ever ‘Battles’ twist

The Voice Season 28 kicked off The Battles round on Oct. 13 featuring duels from the 12-artist teams that coaches Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, and Snoop Dogg assembled during the Blind Auditions. On deck to assist the coaches in preparing their teams for the round are superstar guest advisors Lizzo for Team Snoop, Lewis Capaldi for Team Niall, Kelsea Ballerini for Team Bublé, and Nick Jonas for Team Reba.

For the first time ever in this round, the artists themselves chose their partners for the Battles duet while the coach reserved the power to choose their song. Back again are the Steal and Save options for the coaches to use once each, to steal an artist from another team to their own and to save one of their own from elimination.

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Read on for our The Voice 28 recap of the “The Battles Premiere” performances which aired Monday, Oct. 13 at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC.

Natalia Albertini vs. Yoshihanaa

Team Snoop
Song: “(You Make Me Feel Like ) A Natural Woman” by Carole King
Lizzo’s advice: “When you’re born with something and it comes easy to you, sometimes we don’t push, but we’re on The Voice, you gotta push for it … I want some hootin’ and hollerin’.”
Niall’s comments: “That was a proper, old school Voice battle. Natalia,… you gave it. Yoshihanaa, completely flawless, so natural.”
Reba’s comments: “Natalia, your range is incredible … I would go with Yoshihanaa.”
Michael’s comments: “Yoshihanaa, you made it yours … Natalia, I felt like you were very disciplined.”
Snoop’s comments: “Y’all made me shed a tear … I was cryin’ because I can only keep one of y’all and my heart is broke.”
Winner: Yoshihanaa
Result: Natalia Albertini — saved by Snoop

Aaron Nichols vs. Daron Lameek

Team Reba
Song: “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” by Elvin Bishop
Nick’s advice: “Two powerhouse vocalists … when you guys get to the ad lib trade-off at the end, I think if [Daron wants] to throw in another falsetto there, it could really be a powerhouse moment. There’s the one in the moment in the second chorus … I think we need a bigger vocal moment there.”
Michael’s comments: “The fact that you guys couldn’t be more different, but somehow you come together and you become this amazing thing … if I was making the decision today, it might be Daron.”
Snoop’s comments: “Daron, when the song first came on … oh my god he’s killin’ it … I’m so happy I don’t have to make this decision.”
Niall’s comments: “I really like your grasp, Aaron … Daron, you have this effortlessness to what you do.”
Reba’s comments: “Y’all are like peanut butter and jelly — so different, but just blended together so well.”
Winner: Aaron Nichols
Result: Daron Lameek — eliminated

Jazz McKenzie vs. Trinity

Team Bublé
Song: “Virtual Insanity” by Jamiroquai
Kelsea’s advice: “Just don’t forget to have fun. Look at where you are – I know it’s intimidating, but what a beautiful experience.”
Snoop’s comments: “Y’all took that man’s song and put some herbs and spices … this is two four-chair turns … great showmanship … they both were so strong.”
Niall’s comments: “You two just brought a different league … these two cannot leave this competition.”
Reba’s comments: “If it was a run competition, you both tied. Jazz, your tone is round, powerful. Trinity, wow, I don’t know how you found all those notes.”
Michael’s comments: “Trinity, … this is just effortless and easy for you. Jazz, you have this wonderful and powerful voice.”
Winner: Jazz McKenzie
Result: Trinity — saved by Michael (Reba, Niall, and Snoop attempted to steal)

Dustin Dale Gaspard vs. Revel Day

Team Niall
Song: “Too Sweet” by Hozier
Lewis’s advice: “The song’s got a bit of bite and attitude so you want to convey that in the performance.”
Reba’s comments: “Absolutely loved it. Revel, … sound great. Dustin, you fascinated from the Blind Auditions forward. You’re raw, but refined.”
Michael’s comments: “Dustin, you are one of my favorite voices on this show. Revel, that was a soulful, gorgeous rendition and that comes from someone much deeper.”
Snoop’s comments: “Even though it was outside of Revel’s wheelhouse, he did an amazing job. It allowed Dustin to use his many voices.”
Niall’s comments: “I thought the boys did amazingly. Revel, your choice on melody is amazing… Dustin, some of that controlled rasp, growl that you’ve got is amazing.”
Winner: Dustin Dale Gaspard
Result: Revel Day — eliminated

Kanard Thomas vs. Kenny Iko

Team Snoop
Song: “All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do)” by Joe
Lizzo’s advice: [on their lower and higher registers] “I kinda wanna hear y’all flip — amplify your strengths.”
Niall’s comments: “Kanard, you’re slick. There’s something real nostalgic about your voice … Kenny, the performance element to your game is so good.”
Reba’s comments: “I absolutely love the song — it was dope and fire. The confidence level is unbelievable.”
Michael’s comments: “What you did was so sweet — both of you. Kenny was going for it, was ambitious … Kanard, such a sweet tone. I felt you got what you went for.”
Snoop’s comments: “Kanard, Lizzo wanted you to lean in on your strengths and feature that upper register and you delivered. Kenny, you went falsetto when you needed to.”
Winner: Kenny Iko
Result: Kanard Thomas — eliminated

Austin Gilbert vs. Rob Cole

Team Bublé
Song: “Honey Bee” by Blake Shelton
Kelsea’s advice: “Whatever change you make to [the song], you just have to be 100 percent committed … I think the last 20 seconds fell apart and I wanna make sure you stick the landing. Rehearse with each other as much as you can just so you don’t lose the train off the tracks in that last little stretch.”
Snoop’s comments: “I felt the spirit of Blake when y’all were singing that. Austin, I love your energy, I love the way you was engaging the crowd … Brother Rob, I was lovin’ how you were pluckin’, singin’ … I would say Austin for showmanship … but as far as vocals I would say Rob.”
Niall’s comments: “Austin, the way you performed the song was amazing … and Rob I love how you just remind me of some of my favorite country singers just clear as day you can hear every word.”
Reba’s comments: “I could tell y’all were really having a lot of fun together … you both got great voices, but I think I would have to go with Austin on this one.”
Michael’s comments: “Austin, I know you can sing … you have a sweet, beautiful voice. Rob, I thought today was your best, you were just at ease.”
Winner: Rob Cole
Result: Austin Gilbert — stolen by Reba

The Updated Teams:

TEAM BUBLÉ: Aarik Duncan, Carly Harvey, Elias Gomez, Jazz McKenzie, Lucas Beltran, Marty O’Reilly, Max Chambers, Max Cooper III, Rob Cole, Teo Ramdel, Trinity
TEAM REBA: Aaron Nichols, Aubrey Nicole, Austin Gilbert, Conrad Khalil, Cori Kennedy, Letter to Elise, Leyton Robinson, Manny Costello, Peyton Kyle, Ryan Mitchell, Shan Scott, Vinya Chhabra
TEAM NIALL: Aiden Ross, Alex Brown, Ava Nat, Camille Tredoux, Carolina Rodriguez, DEK of Hearts, Dustin Dale Gaspard, Jack Austin, Kayleigh Clark, Kirbi, Liam von Elbe
TEAM SNOOP: Emmanuel Rey, Jerrell Melton, Kenny Iko, Lauren Anderson, Makenzie Phipps, Mindy Miller, Natalia Albertini, Ralph Edwards, Sadie Dahl, Toni Lorene, Yoshihanaa

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