Portland Monthly’s Essential Summer 2022 Playlist

Image: Katie Leimbach
The solstice has finally rolled through and brought a blue-sky end to this dreary Juneuary, which can only mean one thing: it's time to update your playlists. While you soak up some vitamin D to the tune of infectious new cuts from Beyoncé and Calvin Harris, consider tossing in the following stunners from residents of the Rose City.
“What, Me Worry?,” Portugal.The Man
Paranoid pop that’s been left in the sun too long (in a good way). "House is burning down / Don't disturb me" might be the couplet of summer 2022.
“Dancing Dimensions,” Ural Thomas & the Pain
Spacey and smooth, with echoes of Innervisions-era Stevie Wonder. It's the title track from the legendary soul singer's latest LP, and the whole thing's a summery blast: grab a copy here.
“Outsidë,” Yeat ft. Young Thug
A young Portland rapper joins a giant for this gooey, bell-filled banger. Leave it to Thug to appear on two bona fide summertime jams while churning out lines like "I was in the club and hit the opp with a chair."
“Like a Dog,” Reptaliens
Like the best summer days: propulsive, druggy, and shimmering.
“22.wav,” Refugio
Pump-up music for the happy and humid, with glistening backup vocals to boot.
“Hills and Tracks,” Shelley Short
You’re allowed to be melancholy in July. Shelley Short knows!
“The Lemonade Song,” Pink Martini
For sipping whatever you wish in the biggest hat you can find.
“Summersong,” The Decemberists
Look, we had to put this song on one of these eventually.
“Sundown, Sundown,” Federale
A cinematic Nancy and Lee cover for those blessed 9 p.m. sunsets, well-timed to the recent reissue of the duo's classic 1968 LP.