Each month, tons of new music from many taste-spanning genres is released into a fast-consuming, unforgiving market; it can be tough to get a handle on what’s new before it’s on to the next. In an attempt to highlight the standout releases, at the end of each month, AUX staff re-cap the month in Punk, Metal, Indie/Pop/Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic, and Pop with the top five releases in each. Consider it your cheat sheet for year-end lists.

Top 5 Pop Tracks: September

Rihanna – “Diamonds”

Remember when Rihanna was hospitalized for exhaustion in May? Well, it turns out that Rihanna learned nothing from it, because she’s releasing a new album in November, almost exactly one year after the release of 2011’s Talk That Talk. The first offering from Rihanna’s yet-to-be-titled seventh studio album is “Diamonds,” a mid-tempo life-affirming anthem co-produced by Dr. Luke’s second-in-command Benny Blanco and frequent Rihanna collaborators StarGate. Written by Australian pop juggernaut Sia, “Diamonds” sees Rihanna shedding her sexed-up swag for a persona that’s more vulnerable and emotionally expressive than we’re used to. It’s far more subdued than the bouncy house-pop showcased on “We Found Love,” but it’s still satisfyingly epic, with Blanco and StarGate’s massive synth arrangement supporting Sia’s powerful lyrics and melodies. Talk That Talk was heavily criticized for seeming rushed and unfinished, but if “Diamonds” is any indication, Rihanna’s exhaustion isn’t all for naught. (Def Jam)

Kanye West – “Clique” feat. Big Sean & Jay-Z

When it comes to hip-hop, all eyes have been on the gentlemen of G.O.O.D. Music this year, as anticipation for Cruel Summer spilled over into fall. As if “Cold,” “I Don’t Like (Remix),” “Mercy,” and “New God Flow” weren’t enough to whet our appetites, Kanye decided to drop “Clique” a little more than a week in advance of the album’s much-delayed release date. Can you remember the last time an artist released five singles before the album is even released? This tactic might not have paid off for G.O.O.D. Music, since Cruel Summer feels a little too front-loaded with hits, but “Clique” is so undeniable that it certainly contributed to its 216,000 first week sales. If there’s one thing we know about Hit-Boy, it’s that he’s the new force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop production world, especially when he’s got both Kanye and Jay-Z on one of his beats. Throw in an infectious hook from Big Sean, and you’ve got a recipe for the best G.O.O.D. Music collaboration to date. (G.O.O.D. Music/Island Def Jam)

No Doubt – “Push and Shove”

When we found out that Diplo was working on No Doubt’s new album, our brains pretty much exploded in the best way possible. The title track from No Doubt’s first album in over ten years is a genre-spanning schizophrenic mish-mash, incorporating the best of No Doubt and Diplo’s many varied influences.  There’s a deliberate dancehall and reggae influence in the verses (Busy Signal, duh), while the half-time chorus echoes the anguished melodies of Tragic Kingdom, layered on top of a drum beat that almost sounds (dare I say) dubstep-inspired.  No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal called “Push and Shove” their version of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and the song is just crazy sounding enough to justify that grandiose comparison. No Doubt easily could have phoned it in after a ten year absence, but “Push and Shove” proves that the band is still creatively inspired, and a few years of inactivity didn’t scare them away from pushing boundaries in the studio. (Interscope)

Miguel – “Do You…”

Since releasing his debut album All I Want Is You in November of 2010, Miguel has set himself apart from an expanding crowd of male R&B vocalists, with a unique style that cribs notes from Prince as much as it does Kanye West. A guest appearance on Wale’s “Lotus Flower Bomb” upped Miguel’s profile last year, and based on the first two singles from his forthcoming second album Kaleidoscope Dream, Miguel is set to conquer the world of smooth, innovative R&B this year. The dreamy, bass-heavy track “Do You…” is produced by Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis, former bass player and producer for The Fugees. Wonder crafts an atmospheric space on “Do You…,” using electric guitar, a swirling synth pad, and a punchy bassline that mingles with the intricate drum programming flawlessly. With a soothing vocal that floats beautifully between his upper register and his falsetto, Miguel finds a way to make “Do you like drugs (yep!) / Well, me too” sound like the most romantic chorus you’ve ever heard.  With songs like “Do You…” and “Adorn” (currently sitting pretty at #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart), Miguel is ready to compete with the monsters of the genre. Usher, Trey Songz, and Ne-Yo? Meet the heir to the throne. (Bystorm/RCA)

Nicki Minaj & Cassie – “The Boys”

Just when you think you’re over Nicki Minaj, she finds a way to pull you back in. When I found out Nicki was going to repackage her latest album as Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded: The Re-Up, we figured it was just another cash grabbing conquest for Minaj. Be that as it may, there’s something about “The Boys” that caught my ear in a way that nothing on PF:RR could. It’s strange, subtle, and it plays to Nicki’s strengths, leaving the melodic duties to Diddy’s love interest. Cassie doesn’t have a great voice by any stretch of the imagination, but her sweet and simple delivery on the chorus gives Nicki an excellent foil for her ferocious verse vocals. (Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Republic)

Surprises, disappointments and tracks/albums to watch for next month

Surprise of the month: Missy Elliot and Timbaland made good on their promise to deliver new music for the first time in four years this month.  At 44 years old, Missy Elliot is still sounding as relevant as ever. Get ur aging gracefully on.

Disappointments: Carly Rae Jepsen’s Kiss (italics and capitalization are super important here) was an unbelievable letdown for me. I knew there wouldn’t be a song that could capture the same magic as “Call Me Maybe,” but her debut album fizzles big time

Out in September: Albums from Cher Lloyd, Kendrick Lamar, and Ellie Goulding.