Ellie Goulding, “Higher Than Heaven.”

There are few artists who can reliably deliver a club anthem quite like Ellie Goulding. The British singer-songwriter has racked up scores of hits over the years, defined by big beats, infectious synths and her signature smoky vocals. Her fifth album, Higher Than Heaven is a collection of upbeat and musically expansive tracks. Goulding brings an energy and exuberance from the opening notes and doesn’t let go for 11 tracks.

Higher Than Heaven is a departure from Goulding’s previous effort, Brightest Blue, which was built on quiet subtlety and had a more introspective feeling. It’s dialed in right out of the gate with the synth-driven and beat-forward “Midnight Dreams,” a track with a slight ’90s throwback influence mixed in.

“All I think about/ You’re my energy/ Feel you all around/ Electricity,” Goulding sings with a chorus of harmonies as it reaches its crescendo.

“Cure For Love” opens with sparse and dark piano melody before giving way to an upbeat bass-driven backing track. This song evokes an infectiousness akin to Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” especially when the soaring chorus kicks in. “The End of the Night” musically calls back to Goulding’s darker Halcyon material, crossing darker melodies with big synthy beats.

While not a collaboration, “Like a Saviour” brings a synth-fueled energy akin to that of Goulding’s work with Calvin Harris. The magnificent track is carried by a percussive groove buoyed by a flute-like sample that gives it a throwback personality. Goulding’s singing and dialed-in arrangement make for one of the best songs on the album.

“Spinning in your starlight/ You got the power to ease my mind/ You’re leading me out of the dark/ Like a saviour shining in my soul,” Goulding sings on the uplifting chorus.

“Love Goes On” is more subdued. While the BPMs stay up, Goulding’s vocal delivery is more intricate and somber, especially in the wordy cadence of the verses. Later on the album, the bass-heavy “Just 4 You” fits the same sort of mold. It’s another song that feels closer to a mid-tempo pop ballad despite its pulsing upbeat rhythms.

Goulding’s hip-hop collaborations have become something of a signature. She’s worked with the likes of the late Juice WRLD, Swae Lee and blackbear. “Easy Lover,” a duet with rapper Big Sean, dials in everything Ellie Goulding does well: soaring vocals, memorable synth melodies and an anthemic feeling. Big Sean delivers a strong laidback verse midway through the song.

The title track keeps the energy surging, with an ’80s-influenced, bass-heavy instrumental. Goulding reaches up to the high notes on the chorus, showcasing her versatility and range. The anthemic “Let It Die” may be the most direct connection to Goulding’s Halcyon-era material. It opens with a darkly melodic synth before exploding into a pulsing groove in the chorus. Goulding is at her best when she can fuse dark and moody sounds into a dynamic pop track.

“When did you lose the light behind your eyes?/ Tell me why when there’s no more tears to cry/ And you’re holdin’ onto love for life/ I think it’s time to let it die,” she sings on the chorus.

“Waiting For It” is a departure from the rest of the album, inspired not by club pop but by mid-tempo funk and R&B. The song has a much more subdued feeling, and feels like a holdover from Brightest Blue.

The record closes with “How Long,” an atmospheric and ethereal pop track filled with choppy beats and vibrant synths. The song reaches its crescendo before quickly fading away.

Follow writer Mike DeWald at Twitter.com/mike_dewald.