Shower, slump, or sexy time: the songs that soundtrack Generation Y

http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/mar/20/sings-that-soundtrack-generation-y-lives

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To sing along to in the shower: Aloe Blacc – Loving You Is Killing Me

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Nabeelah: This tune is more suited to a bath – have you seen the way he kicks it in the video? – than a shower. It's all about the chorus, and shoulder-rolling, and life-affirming statements for the time of day when you're nude and defenceless.

To blast while getting ready for work: M.I.A. – 10 Dollar

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Ellie: In the early morning pre-caffeine haze, I can happily ignore M.I.A.'s sometimes-questionable lyrics ("I've put people on the map who never seen a map", I'm looking at you) and focus on the locomotive propulsion of beats, the buzzes, fizzes and sirens. That's what you need when bed is behind you and the outside world is ahead.

For the walk to the train: Will.i.am feat Britney Spears – Scream & Shout

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Nabeelah: Please don't even ask me why. This track just feels vengeful, and helps me along the same route I pound over a boring stretch of pavement every day. And that horrible, electro twang helps you march on. Zang zang zang, za-za-zang zang zang.

For rush-writing on deadline: The Go! Team – Ladyflash

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Emma :The name of the album, Thunder, Lightning, Strike, says it all, really. The Go! Team is the go-to (excuse the punning) if you need to get something done and you need to get it done fast. You do, however, run the risk of irritating colleagues. The potential side effect and challenge is resisting the urge to run around the office in little circles. Not recommended for when working on a nuanced, analytical piece.

For that late-afternoon slump: C2C feat Derek Martin – Happy

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Fred: I first heard this with the video, which features incredible choreography by Derek Martin. As the title suggests, it is impossible to hear this track without feeling substantially perked up. A warning, though: listening, whether for the first or 50th time, will lead to involuntary and regrettable chair "dancing".

To get pumped for a run or gym session: Khaled – C'est la Vie

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Aisha: I heard this on the radio for the first time driving through the winding roads in the West Bank and I'd heard nothing quite like it before. It reminds me of good times, and I don't mind that it's cheesy; it'll put anyone in a good mood.

For kicking back at home: James Blake – Retrograde

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Ellie: "We're alone now." Thank goodness for that, James. A bit too intense to ever really chill to, but it certainly is one for those home-alone times when you might allow yourself to get a teensy bit emo, just for a second. What Papa Roach's Last Resort was to the 13-year-old you, this is to the late -20s you, maybe? (But a whole lot better, soz Papa.)

To get you out of the house when you're knackered: Daft Punk – Get Lucky

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Frances: It's Friday night. The day has been long and hard. Ugh, do I really want to go out? I know I'll feel tragic and lonely if I don't, but I just don't have the energy. Cue Pharrell Williams's dulcet tones and Daft Punk's beatz – bring on the boogie.

For sexy times: Kelela – Something Else

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Tshepo: OK, Wednesday's G2 sex issue covered most of this ground but I'll just say that few new artists are as good as Kelela at "setting the mood" (ew). The rumbling bass and slow-burning dynamic build on this track make it an ideal hook-up soundtrack. Mmm.