Thanks to talent searches on TV, we now have more exciting music acts to watch out for in the coming months. And we’re not even talking about just the winners of these shows, because there are also great (even better, actually) contestants that didn’t bag the top prize yet still show so much promise. And let’s not forget some newbies that started to make noise last year. Basing on their initial efforts and the entire buzz, it looks like we’ll be hearing more from them this 2013.

 

Carly Rose Sonenclar

 

She may have lost to Tate Stevens (well, he IS deserving) in the second season of the US version of “The X Factor,” but with how well-received she was, it’s not impossible for this young singer to be the breakthrough star of 2013.

 

Cassadee Pope

 

If you’ve had enough of belters and those girls who just dance and lip-sync, then the winner of the third season of “The Voice” is for you. A little edgier than most females in the music industry, Cassadee seems like she’s all set to be the Next Big Thing in music.

 

Fifth Harmony

 

Placing third in the latest season of “The X Factor,” this five-piece girl group wowed viewers with their harmonies and fashion sense while singing songs like Adele’s “Set Fire to Rain” and Mariah Carey’s “Anytime You Need a Friend.” Another girl group? No problem if they sound and look the way these girls do.

 

Union J

 

They may have placed just fourth in the last season of the British version of “The X Factor,” but there is no denying how these lads are going to make it huge. Not only did they get signed by Sony Music, they’re also being tagged as the new rival of One Direction. And oh, they’re extremely good-looking, too.

 

Jake Bugg

 

Apart from having excellent taste in music (he likes Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles), this English singer-songwriter has extremely catchy stuff, such as the addicting “Two Fingers.” He’s attractive, too—in a lost-and-lonely-boy kind of way.

 

AlunaGeorge

 

Every song this electronic duo releases is brilliant. George Reid, who is in charge of production, makes the dopest beats, while Aluna Francis has the most beautiful and unique voice we’ve heard in a while. We’d love to keep them all to ourselves but it won’t take long before everyone hears about this awesome duo.

 

The Weeknd

 

Sure, all his songs sound the same—but they’re all good, in fairness. His music is sexy and trippy, and he’s so good we think it’s unfair how Miguel and Frank Ocean are more famous than him.

 

Jessie Ware

 

This English songstress is such a gem. Reminiscent of Sade, Jessie’s got a gorgeous voice, a pretty face and a strong fashion sense. Her “Devotion” album, which was released last year, is so good every track should be released as a single. Mark Sablan, Contributor