Best of 2022 (so far): the WDET mid-year playlist

To commemorate passing the halfway point of 2022, WDET’s music hosts shared their favorite tracks from January through June on CultureShift this month. The following playlists include a diverse range of some of the best tunes we’ve heard this year so far.

The lists feature multiple artists who we’ve had the pleasure of talking to on our shows over the past six months. One of the artists featured on Ryan’s list is Waajeed, who stopped by CultureShift in June to talk about how all sales of his latest EP go toward teaching young Detroiters about the city’s musical history. Also on Ryan’s list is Sara Marie Barron, who gave CultureShift a sneak peek of her new EP in May before it was even out. On Nick’s list is Moonchild, who stopped by Soul Saturday in April to talk about the evolution of the trio’s sound. And on Jeff’s list is Stoop Lee, who spoke with CultureShift in March about his unique blend of nostalgic hip-hop.

Some artists even crossed the boundaries of genre and were featured on multiple lists. Detroit-raised duo Laura Rain and the Caesars were featured on both Ann and Rob’s lists, and Ego Ella May’s “Introvert Hotline” was featured on both Chris and Nick’s lists. Another favorite was the group Tank and the Bangas, who won NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest and performed in-studio at WDET in 2017. Songs off their new album were featured in both Chris and Rob’s lists.

A lot of home-grown artists were featured as well, including Nick Piunti & The Complicated Men, Chris Bathgate, The Volebeats, Dames Brown and Nadim Azzam, to name a few. Not to mention, Jeff’s entire list is comprised of artists from Detroit, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and everywhere in between.

No matter what kind of music you’re into, there’s something new for you here.

Listen to the full playlist:

Want to jump to your favorite host? Click their name below:

• Ann Delisi, Ann Delisi’s Essential Music
• Jeff Milo, Milo Minute
• Jon Moshier, Modern Music
• Chris Campbell, The Progressive Underground
• Rob Reinhart, Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music
• Ryan Patrick Hooper, CultureShift
• Nick Austin, Soul Saturday

Ryan Patrick Hooper, CultureShift

Aired July 5, 2022

Billions by Caroline Polachek

Pop Song by Perfume Genius

One and Only by Gabriels

Stuck In The Middle by Greentea Peng

Never Give Up by Chronixx

Being In Love by Wet Leg

Jackie Down The Line by Fontaines D.C.

This Is A Photograph by Kevin Morby

Rock Bottom by Kevin Morby

Figure Skating by Porij

If We Get Caught by Bloc Party

Masculinity by Samora Pinderhughes, Immanuel Wilkins

Seventh String by Makaya McCraven

Wrong for It (feat. Nubya Garcia) by Obongjayar

I Go (DJ Koze Remix) by Peggy Gou

It Hit Me by Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul

Electricity by Ibibio Sound Machine

Jouissance by Harvey Sutherland

Sun (Jitwam & EJT Remix) by Emma-Jean Thackray, Jitwam

Cloudy by Daphni

Sober by Waajeed

Energy (Waajeed’s Doughboy Mix) by Amp Fiddler & Waajeed

Subdued by Sara Marie Barron

In/On by Daniel Villarreal

Rob Reinhart, Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music

Aired July 6, 2022

Funny Girl by Father John Misty

I Can Fly by Laura Rain and the Caesars

Savior by Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keem & Sam Dew

Country & Western by Joshua Hedley

One of the Boyz by Nick Piunti & The Complicated Men

East Detroit by Samm Henshaw

Communion in My Cup (feat. The Ton3s) by Tank and the Bangas

Surrender To The Rhythm by Elvis Costello & Rusty

Cure For Me by AURORA

Click Wars by Extra Arms

Don’t Look Back by Chris Bathgate

Against the Wind by Cat Power

Out of Time by The Weeknd

Ann Delisi, Ann Delisi’s Essential Music

Aired July 8, 2022

Lost Myself by Eric Krasno

Motherland Journey (feat. Killbeatz & Fela Kuti) by Blue Lab Beats

Souls Alive in the 305 by Jose Conde

Green Eyes by Arlo Parks

Diamond Ring by The Volebeats

Diamonds by Mac Saturn

Diamond in the Rough by Laura Rain and the Caesars

Sage Motel by Monophonics & Kelly Finnigan

Big River (Live) by Bob Weir

Flos Potentia (Sugar, Cotton, Tabacco) by Ron Trent & Khruangbin

Chris Campbell, The Progressive Underground

Aired July 8, 2022

Festa em Ipanema By Dee Jay Sound

Introvert Hotline By Ego Ella May

Stolen Fruit by Tank and the Bangas

FIND YOUR WAY BACK by Beyoncé

Control by Xinxin

Peace, Be Still (feat. Scienze & Ivan Ave) by Fresh Daily

What Would You Do? (feat. Amp Fiddler & Andrés) by Dames Brown

Freezee Pops by Sam Evian

Make It (feat. Faiza) by Junia-T

Momma (feat. MYNA) by Nadim Azzam

I Would Die 4 U by TiKA

Just Wanna See by Eric Kupper presents K-Scope

Jeff Milo, Milo Minute

Aired July 11, 2022

Night at the Rock & Roll History Museum by Danny VanZandt

Backseat by Allye Gaietto

Old Days by Pia

LYCHEE by stoop lee

Drown by Emily Parrish

Anywhere by Cashmere Washington

John Brannon by Blank Tape Tax

I Can’t Feel (My Body) by Ally Evenson

Morning Light by Twin Deer

Such A Shame by Same Eyes

Heart About to Give Out by Of House

Nick Austin, Soul Saturday

Aired July 12, 2022

Why We Speak (feat. Q-Tip & Esperanza Spalding) by Robert Glasper

Tell Him (feat. Lalah Hathaway) by Moonchild

Love Again by Alex Isley & Jake Dine

Untouchable (feat. India Carney) by Anomalie

No ID by Tank and The Bangas

Save Some by D’Sound & Macy Gray

So Lonely (feat. Wale) by PJ Morton

Introvert Hotline by Ego Ella May

Good Loving (feat. Pop Roberson) by Eric Roberson

Failing In Love by Mary J. Blige

Piece of Me by Lady Wray

Cherry Forest by Lucky Daye

Jon Moshier, Modern Music

Aired July 15, 2022

The Overload by Yard Act

Chaise Longue by Wet Leg

Tripping at a Party by Los Bitchos

Holy Mackerel! by Cosmic Analog Ensemble

Up and Away by Ʃtella & Redinho

Prester John by Animal Collective

Asteroid Witch by Ghost Power

Is It It Or Is It i? by Astrel K

Look at it in the Light by Kate Bollinger

I’ll Try by Sharon Van Etten

Stay Soft by Mitski

Bruises by Chris Bathgate

Bad Love by Dehd

This Is A Photograph by Kevin Morby

Endless Summer by Superchunk

Chipper by Launder