A tribute to all that is fun.

The Format and Steel Train are, quite possibly, two of the most fun bands I’ve ever had the privilege to witness perform live. It’s fitting, then, that when Nate Ruess and Jack Antonoff began collaborating in 2009 they took that adjective and used it as the name for their little side project.

fun.’s first album, Aim & Ignite, is somber, energetic, and unforgivingly upbeat all at once. It’s also one of the most relentlessly — there’s seriously no other word for it — fun collections of songs I’ve ever heard. Tomorrow the wait for the band’s second studio LP, Some Nights, is finally over. You can check out the whole thing on SoundCloud, courtesy of fun. themselves. But for now, in the spirit of Music Monday and my love of playlists, why don’t we take a look at five songs from The Format, Steel Train and fun. that you really should listen to if you love the Ruess-Antonoff project.

Ten songs that have given up on love

I’ve already apologized for my absence over the last week, so I’m not going to repeat it here. Besides, the songs in this section of my two-part Music Monday spectacular are meant for those of you who have nothing to be sorry for. You were screwed over and you don’t care who knows it. Okay, maybe you don’t want to be open about it, but you don’t have anyone special to spoil or be spoiled by tomorrow and that’s left you feeling a little lonely.

No? Are you feeling the least bit angsty? Not that either, eh? Well, you must have at one point or another gone through a breakup or some kind of heart-shattering debacle over a potential boo, right? I mean, we were all teenagers once, after all (if you’re reading this and are still a teenager, quit loafing around and get a job.) These are all songs that have at one point or another gotten me through a breakup. Or convinced me that, yeah, there’s nothing wrong with me, it’s the girls who are all crazy and don’t know what’s good for them. I’m probably over-sharing here, so let’s just get right to the music, shall we?

Ten songs that might woo you a boo

Things were a bit busy last week, what with midterms, a few review copies showing up on my doorstep and stories to edit for Flux, along with a couple of other special projects I’m working on poking their heads into an already-busy schedule. So you can see how I didn’t have time to dedicate to the blog, right? Good.

Well, I still want to make it up to you because I know how much you all love these Music Monday playlists. And, boy, do I have a treat for you this week. In order to make up for my absence over the last few days, I’m giving you not just one, but two collections to choose from. And with everyone’s favorite Hallmark holiday just around the corner, what’s better than a grouping of songs that are all about love? Hey, scoff if you will, but sometimes the quickest way to a person’s heart is through song. This playlist is all about wooing a prospective boo. Or maybe you’d rather these provide a soundtrack to a date with an established boo. Either way, if you’re looking for angsty, pissed-off love songs, check these out. Otherwise, enjoy!