From indie folk and throwback classic rock, to R&B techno and country pop, this five-track list covers both a variety of genres and a few of many new singles recently released.

“UNBELIEVERS” – 4 Stars

Vampire Weekend debuted “Unbelievers,” their latest single, on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” this past Halloween and I’ve been listening to it ever since. Dressed for the occasion, skeleton make up and all, these Indie New Yorkers take on a new direction with this track.

“We know the fire awaits unbelievers/ All of the sinners the same/ Girl, you and I will die unbelievers bound to the tracks of the train.”

Love and fate, life and death, faith and disbelief — the lyrics set expectations for their third LP currently underway. Vampire Weekend is known for their African rhythms and chiming indie pop, but this song gives off a new vibe. The jittery upbeat melody is still there, but indie pop seems to have been elevated to a kind of power pop. It’s not the Vampire Weekend we know from “Contra,” or their self-titled album way back when, but it’s catchy.

“QUEEN OF THE CITY” – 3 1/2 Stars

Joshua James just came out with his third album “The Top of Willamette Mountain,” and the first track “Queen of the City” is definitely a rock-indie folk gem. Raspy, intimate vocal style makes him somewhere between a Neil Young and a Bob Dylan, but his latest album is more Zeppelin, doom-laden hard rock. I’m a fan of his chill folkish harmonies of the past with tracks like “Coal War”, but the harsher “Queen of the City” proves more powerful.

“But my Lord ain’t nothin’, you ain’t nothin’ like my lover /Ain’t nothin’ like my lover at all.”

Course lyrics of lovers and heartache, gritty guitar rifts and softer keyboard melodies, sum up a solid single and probably the strongest one on Joshua James’ latest album.

“STRAY HEART” – 3 Stars

Here’s a brand spanking new one: Green Day’s “Stray Heart,” typical teenage angst in song form.

“Ohhh, you’re the only one that I’m dreaming of/ Your precious heart”

An untamed guitar rockability is what points to Green Day’s likability. It’s ruckus, it’s loud, but it does have some kind of focus. Their latest album “¡Dos!” that came out this week is reminiscent of ‘70s rock, an attempt to re- define a genre of dystopian rock opera. Maybe the concept isn’t quite up to par, but I’d call it a fun experiment. To put it simply, it’s fun, it’s upbeat and when the rapid drum solo kicks in you know this is a song you can dance to.

“Enemy” – 3 Stars

If you’re familiar with Weeknd’s downcast techno and R&B, you’ll love Abel Tesfaye’s guitar kinks, android background vocals and lyrical come-ons in “Enemy.”

They slip in a Smith’s reference: “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” fading in, then out. It comes together nicely.

It’s not intense in the sense that it’s loud, upbeat and without much of a filter, but there’s definitely a quiet intensity. Tesfaye even manages to make these abstract whispered lyrics soulful.

“Don’t Rush” – 2 1/2 Stars

Kelly Clarkson’s latest “Don’t Rush” is perfect for country lovers. We’ve seen Taylor Swift go dubstep, but Clarkson seems to veer south with this feel-good duet alongside Nashville’s Vince Gill.

“Stopping every minute/ Just because you’re in it”

Yes, it’s a little corny, it’s a little girly. But, this girl’s got some pipes and I’d argue that her vocal range excuses the lovey-dovey lyrics.