Certain moods need soundtracks.

If you have particular music tastes, playing one of Spotifys prefab playlists doesnt scratch that itch.

You want a custom playlist, first crafted in a few minutes, then honed over years.

Here are the five playlists you should prepare for yourself.

Pump Up the Jams

This is your workout playlist, if you work out.

Your goal here is no skips.

Because once you skip one song, you will skip five songs, and youll break the mood.

So keep this playlist trim, and if you start skipping a song every time, kill it.

Spotify has a whole section of workout music, including playlists likeBeast Mode,Workout Twerkout, andCardio.

You could start with one of those, copy it to a personal playlist, and customize it.

Myindie/emo rock playlistis usually what i get pumped to.

Like the way listening toI Miss Youby Blink 182 feels.

I get a lot of my pump-up songs from soundtracks, because fictional characters are constantly doing energetic shit.

This is the least personal, and you could do just fine with a prefab playlist.

I go with instrumental music almost every time.

Sometimes I try something more peppy and varied, likeBird Worldby Leon Chang orTubular Bellsby Mike Oldfield.

Music in other languages is a bit more distracting but can still work.

I loveNigeria Special, a compilation of Nigerian blues and Afro-sounds from the early 70s.

I also go with long classical compilations, like Jorg Baumanns recording ofBachs cello suites.

You dont even have to listen to the music before you throw it into the playlist.

Pile up a stack of albums, and start at a random spot each time.

If any one song gets distracting, delete it.

You dont need to keep the whole album intact.

Sad Songs

This is what you play when youre feeling down.

You could optimize it for total despair, minor sadness, or just a hangover.

Its just nice to have a soundtrack that lets you wallow.

Jim CrocesNew Yorks Not My Homeworks fine even if you live in Dallas.

I just cant gin up the self-pity required for lyrics likeNo loyal friend was ever there for me.

Even with this playlist, its fine to start with someone elses choices and work from there.

So this is a rare occurrence where Ill listen to a playlist someone else made.

He recommendssad shit by joshgerrard.

Ugh, my heart).

Your sad playlist will have some real cheesy shit like that.

Because nothings too cheesy when youre sad.

Except, again, a song written about a CGI ex-hobbit.

The music helps break up the soundscape of the room.

So dont worry about it.

Dont try too hard to impress anyone.

Just throw in your recent favorites, but avoid bummers and anything over seven minutes.

Or, sure, borrow a good party playlist off Spotify.

This time youarepleasing a crowd.

But its still more fun if you put your personality into it.

I always throw inYoull Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties.

Upbeat stuff is good, but some slow jams work great, even when the partys energy is high.

I likeThe Piano Has Been Drinkingby Tom Waits andTonya Hardingby Sufjan Stevens.

Theyre both quirky but artistic.

you’re able to recycle the same party playlist, but keep it updated.

Throw in some new hits.

Take out some overplayed ones.

The definitions of either depend entirely on your crowd.

Some people hearUptown FunkorDespacitoand they want to dance, some want to puke.

This year itsKilling EveandGlow.

Getting It On

Your makeout playlist, your sex playlist.

And honestly Im unsure whether people still use sex playlists?

Am I just old?

Still, this has to be the most fun to make.

Lean toward the slow and breathy.

When in doubt, you want the music to move slower and softer than you.

You dont wantPonyblasting when you go in for a tender kiss.

But you do want songs that imply a little danger or drama.

Another soundtrack strategy: what movies turned you on as a teen?

OK whew I can wrap up the sex part now.

And oh look, weve written a lot about finding new music!