Music

Portland Monthly’s Essential Summer 2022 Playlist

Summer songs from Portlanders old and new to spin this season

By Conner Reed June 24, 2022 Published in the June 2022 issue of Portland Monthly

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

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.

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