Best of 2023 (So Far): The WDET Midyear Playlist

We’re halfway through 2023, and that means it’s time to take stock of our favorite songs of the year so far.

For CultureShift host Tia Graham, that meant finding songs that stopped her in her tracks when scrolling on TikTok or exploring downtown Detroit. For recent Spirit of Detroit Award-winner Ann Delisi, that meant seeking out chill vibes and acoustic singer-songwriters. For frequent CultureShift contributor Jeff Milo, that meant creating the perfect summer playlist, featuring upbeat new releases from local artists.

Whatever it means for you, you’re sure to find something you groove with below.

This year’s list includes 98 new songs carefully selected by WDET’s award-winning music hosts. It features dozens of Detroit artists, some of whom we even got to hear live in-studio, like Libby DeCamp, Waajeed and Myron Elkins. It’s a refreshing mix of genres, from alternative country to indie rock to soul to house.

So pour yourself a cold beverage, crank up the speakers and let us take you on a tour of our top tracks.

Listen to the full playlist:

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

• Amanda LeClaire, CultureShift
• Ann Delisi, Ann Delisi’s Essential Music
• Jeff Milo, The Milo Minute
• Jon Moshier, Modern Music
• Rob Reinhart, Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music
• Ryan Patrick Hooper, CultureShift
• Tia Graham, CultureShift
• Nick Austin, Soul Saturday

Jeff Milo, The Milo Minute

Aired June 12, 2023

To hear all of Jeff’s picks from the year, listen to his 6.5-hour playlist.

Telescope by The High Strung

Black as Lead by Na Bonsai

Keep On the Light by Misty Lyn & the Big Beautiful

Salt by Dirt Room

Usually by Jack Droze, Lilahk

Radiant Hue by Shadow Show

Torch by Libby DeCamp

Mental by Summer Like the Season

Tourist by Elspeth Tremblay & The Treatment

Speak My Name by VELLOWS

Kombucha – Audiotree Live Version by stoop lee, Audiotree

Ryan Patrick Hooper, CultureShift

Aired June 16, 2023

The Lava Is Calm (feat. Theo Croker) by Kassa Overall

Run by Madison McFerrin, Bobby McFerrin

Weak In Your Light by Nation of Language

I LOVE YOUR GIRLFRIEND by Omar S, Alister Fawnwoda, John FM

Nice Idea by Kae Tempest

Tears can be so soft by Christine and the Queens

The Universe by Róisín Murphy, DJ Koze

If You Don’t Want My Love by Jalen Ngonda

Radiant Hue by Shadow Show

Treasure by HotWax

Freedom by Jadu Heart

Slugs of Love by Little Dragon

pawnshop by Kara Jackson

Push Ya In The Face by Waajeed (unreleased)

Jon Moshier, Modern Music

Aired June 16, 2023

Boom! Dynamite by The Courettes

Still Life by ALASKALASKA

Fallout by Yo La Tengo

villagers by Califone

Address Unknown by The High Strung

Pretty Good by DUENDE!

Stop The Rot by WITCH

Doppelganger by TEKE::TEKE

Out There by Water From Your Eyes

Wonderful Times by Teleman

Tia Graham, CultureShift

Aired June 19, 2023

Told You So by Adja

Ego Trippin’ by Verzell

CTRL by Mysie

exodus the north star by Yaya Bey

Pass Time by Lizzie Berchie, Kofi Stone

Who Raised You? by Raghd

What You Wanna Try by Masego

Matador by Sam Austins

i dont wna cry by kurffew

Big Man, Little Dignity by Paramore

Venus Versus Mars by Dreamer Isioma

Rob Reinhart, Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music

Aired June 21, 2023

Odyssey by Beck & Phoenix

Is a Good Man Real? by Rachael & Vilray

No Reason by Sunny War

True Blue by boygenius

Mystic Light by Cat Clyde

Quick Winter Sun by Shana Cleveland

Start A Band by Ryan Allen And His Extra Arms

Buy You A New Attitude by Tianna Esperanza

Buyer’s Remorse (feat. Omar Apollo) by Daniel Caesar

Cracker Island (feat. Thundercat) by Gorillaz

But Wait, There’s More by Ben Folds

Tower of Babel by Natalie Merchant

Love Bomb by Baby Rose

Get Out Of Your Own Way (Acoustic) by U2

Here to Forever (Acoustic) by Death Cab for Cutie

Devotion by Arlo Parks

Your New Favorite Lover by Strange Heart

Nick Austin, Soul Saturday

Aired June 22, 2023

What You Wanna Try by Masego

Forgot Your Name (feat. Cory Henry) by BJ The Chicago Kid

Everything’s So Crazy by Reel People, Jill Rock Jones

Stuck Wit U by Nao Yoshioka, Blue Lab Beats

Nobody’s Fool (feat. TOBi) by Brasstracks, FATHERDUDE

Anesthesia (feat. Mandy Lee) by Brasstracks

Propaganda by Salami Rose Joe Louis, Brijean

Into The Red Sky (feat. Aya) [Migs Moodswing Vocal] by Miguel Migs

It’s Not Right But It’s Okay (feat. Monica Blaire) by Risk Assessment

Didn’t Cha Know (feat. Ebban Dorsey) by José James

Brand New Life (feat. Mumu Fresh) by Brandee Younger

Blow Your Mind / Let’s Take It Back (feat. Sy Smith, Javier Starks) by Gregory Hutchinson

The List (Acoustic) by Moonchild

Star Gazing by Evil Needle, Styles Davis

You Never Visit Me by Masego

Amanda LeClaire, CultureShift

Aired June 26, 2023

But Not Kiss by Faye Webster

Put On Dog by THUS LOVE

Little Miss Dynamite by Anish Kumar

Destroy and Create by Nicolas Godin

Love Letter to Plants by King Tuff

Mama Tchipp (Follow Me) by Nikodemus

Do You by MADMADMAD

Fables (feat. Beck) by Rahill

Hardly the Same Snake by Skinny Pelembe

Wuthering Heights (Kassa Overall Remix) by Cécile McLorin Salvant

Lullaby (Jam City Remix) by Grace Ives

Swirls of You by Caterina Barbieri

Ann Delisi, Ann Delisi’s Essential Music

Aired June 29, 2023

Hands to Myself by Myron Elkins

Killiljin by Zuco 103

ARE YOU GONNA RUN? by Low Cut Connie

Feeling Myself by Nick Hakim

Ain’t No Harmin’ Me by The War and Treaty

portrait of a dog by Jonah Yano

Psychos by Jenny Lewis

Words With You by Chromeo

(Please Don’t) Leave Me Now by Madison McFerrin

California Sober (feat. Willie Nelson) by Billy Strings