From New Hope Club to Zack Tabudlo, Here Are The Top 5 Artist That Will Conquer 2023!

By Karissa Lund  •  01 Feb 2023 in Features

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As another new year dawns, it’s always worth keeping our eyes and ears open to artists who seem likely to be thrust into the limelight. Whether you are into pop, hip-hop or indie-rock, the sheer diversity of musical talent bubbling up to the surface means you are truly spoilt for choice for the best musicians to look out for.

To help bring some order to the chaos, we asked Universal Music Malaysia about which artists are set to conquer the year 2023.

While they might not be emerging musicians, these five artists below are poised to take a big step forward with prominent projects in the coming months.

So, scroll down and get to know them!

1. Zack Tabudlo

Throughout the years, Malaysians have been known to appreciate songs in countless Asian foreign languages thanks to the never-ending exposure to a variety of pop culture products from our neighbours. Zack Tabudlo is the latest testament to this phenomenon!

Discovered at the very tender age of 10 on a local Filipino reality show called Talentadong Pinoy, Zack continued to create ripples back home after being a contestant on The Voice Kids Philippines. Being a part of the competition pushed him to form the youth singing group, Gravity, with his fellow contenders.

However, Zack began his solo music career in 2018, venturing not only into performing but also into songwriting and music production. In 2020, the artist then joined Island Records Philippines where he continued honing his identity as a musician.

 

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A post shared by Zack Tabudlo (@zack.tabudlo)

While he had multiple viral singles, Zack’s debut album Episode has spent eighteen weeks at #1 on Spotify’s Weekly Top Albums in the Philippines, with over 1 billion global streams and views.

Making waves from his home country to Indonesia and progressing right down to our Malaysian shores, the track ‘Pano’ from his debut album is an easy-listening track that became an instant hit! Though a simple limerick of love, ‘Pano’ which sings of a broken heart caused by the cruelty of being let go by a lover seems relatable to most. 

Since then, Zack had released a three–part music video entitled PANO: THE TRILOGY for his tracks ‘Anghel’, ‘Yakap’ and of course, ‘Pano’.

As an artist who continuously challenges convention, Zack is excited to create bigger things for his fans. The young artist believes that keeping his feet on the ground means maintaining his footing as he continuously runs towards his dream – to conquer the world through music.

Because for Zack Tabudlo, “music itself was the dream”. 

Follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. 

2. New Hope Club

With over 2.5 billion global streams, a UK Top 5 album and a massive international following, New Hope Club is the British pop band to watch for!

Having written and performed together since their teens – Blake, George and Reece have gone from playing local pub gigs in Manchester to growing a devoted global fanbase, selling out headline shows everywhere from New York and London to Tokyo.

They have amassed over 2.5 billion global streams and over 260 million YouTube views, and even caught the attention of K-pop superstars V of BTS and The Stray Kids.

 

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A post shared by New Hope Club (@newhopeclub)

Following the release of their UK Top 5 charting debut album in 2020, New Hope Club kick-started their new era in 2023 with greater clarity on their creative purpose.

Sonically inspired by great bands like The Beatles, The Strokes and Vampire Weekend – the forthcoming album by New Hope Club is their most direct artistic expression to date.

Just last week, the trio dropped ‘Don’t Go Wasting Time’ –  the first release of the year taken from their anticipated album. The introspective and stripped–back track continues to showcase the boys’ growth as songwriters with wistful lyrics about letting go of your past mistakes.

It’s basically the perfect primer for the new year!

“We wrote ‘Don’t Go Wasting Time’ on a gloomy day in Ealing, London during a period of reflection. For so many years together as New Hope Club, we have learned to never take our foot off the pedal, don’t waste any time, and enjoy the ride.

When we were looking at which single to release first this year, it made complete sense to go with this one. It’s a reminder to keep moving forward and try not to get weighed down by your mistakes,” New Hope Club said. 

Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. 

3. Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter has enchanted an audience of millions as a singer, songwriter, actress, designer, producer and style icon. She has delivered one anthem after another on stage and in the studio, earning multiple gold certifications, and performing to sold-out crowds far and wide.

This year, the pop star is definitely going to take over the world!

Her growing musical catalogue encompasses gold singles –  ‘Thumbs’, ‘Sue Me’ and ‘Why’ – and the albums Singular: Act I & Singular: Act II.

Of her music, Time Magazine wrote “she’s one to watch” and V Magazine added, “With two successful pop albums and a hard-hitting social commentary under her belt, Carpenter’s career has matured faster than many of her Disney-bred predecessors”.

 

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A post shared by Sabrina Carpenter (@sabrinacarpenter)

Recently, the critically acclaimed singer–songwriter and actress released the music video for her hit viral song ‘Nonsense’. 

It’s a fan favourite from her newest album emails i can’t send, ‘Nonsense’ is a playful earworm that chronicles all the nervous, exciting, and nonsensical feelings that come along with a new relationship. 

The video, directed by Danica Kleinknecht, perfectly complements the lighthearted track as viewers watch Sabrina and her friends embark on a night out where they cross paths with a few familiar-looking men at a house party.

The 2022 release, emails i can’t send, chronicles Sabrina’s various transformations through ultra–personal songwriting as well as passionate, palpable, and powerful performances.

In its first week, the album amassed over 15 million streams and garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, People, Billboard, USA Today, and many more. The album debuted at #23 in the Top 25 Billboard 200 marking her best career chart debut to date and she’s just going up!

Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. 

4. Reneé Rapp

Reneé Rapp writes emotional anthems that capture her hopes, fears, and insecurities with the intimacy of a diary entry. The North Carolina native began harnessing her natural creativity by writing and recording songs when she was just a teenager. With many talents under her belt, Reneé’s career however took off in the acting world. 

Starting last year though, Reneé turns her attention back to music and is more empowered than ever!

She recently debut her emotionally raw EP Everything To Everyone via Interscope Records.

The seven–song set is stacked with soaring ballads and polished pop anthems that highlight the star’s vocal prowess and versatile talent. It’s the kind of collection with a song for every mood or emotional state.

The stripped–back title track and EP opener explore her desire to show up for the important people in her life. Meanwhile, the breakout single ‘In The Kitchen’ reflects on a doomed relationship, and a brand new track titled ‘Colorado’ expresses her desire to leave Los Angeles behind.

‘Don’t Tell My Mom’ is on the gut–wrenching side as Reneé details her tumultuous, tight-knit relationship with her mother. The EP is then rounded out by the songs ‘What Can I Do’, ‘Too Well’ and ‘Moon’. So far, ‘Don’t Tell My Mom’, ‘In The Kitchen’ and another single, ‘Tattoos’ has amassed more than 22 million combined streams.

Let’s see what more she’ll be doing this year!

Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. 

5. Lewis Capaldi

It’s been a whirlwind return for Lewis Capaldi, rocketing straight to the top of the UK singles chart in September with comeback single ‘Forget Me’ – his third UK number 1 which quickly became Gold-certified and smashed 100 million streams globally.

This makes him the fifth artist last year to have a single go straight in at Number 1 in its first week, putting him in the company of Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Dave & Sam Smith. We’re predicting that this year, Lewis might be an internationally renowned name in mainstream music.

In fact, 2023 started off great as he sold out his upcoming UK arena tour in seconds, with further shows around the world selling out in record time, as well as recently being crowned the ‘King Of Streaming’ as his global hit single ‘Someone You Loved’ became the UK’s most streamed song of ALL TIME.

The international superstar also recently reveal his stunning piano–led second single ‘Pointless’ – taken from his brand new album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent – out 19 May 2023.

The track arrives as one of his earliest compositions for the new album, written on the first day. With Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid and Steve Mac also on the session, the trio were working on one song (“which hasn’t made the cut”) when Lewis’ collaborators mentioned a verse they’d previously begun writing with Ed Sheeran. 

Inspired, Lewis got to work, writing a chorus and middle–eight. By the end of the day, ‘Pointless’ was completed.

When Lewis Capaldi writes a ballad, the world takes notice. After teasing just one verse of the new single on his socials in the lead-up to its release, his fans ensued as he racked up over 2.5 million views on TikTok in just one night. We can’t even begin to imagine what 2023 will look like for him… 

Follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. 

So what do you think of this list? We sure can bet that these artists will make 2023 the year for ’em!