CD of The Week

Mondo Cozmo - It's PRINCIPLE (Last Gang / MNRK)

Two years after releasing This Is For the Barbarians, Philly native Josh Ostrander aka Mondo Cozmo, has returned with his fourth album, It’s PRINCIPLE! - a raw and emotional journey dealing with grief, loss, and forging a way through.

Ostrander began recording as Mondo Cozmo in 2016, and immediately struck a chord with early single “Shine.” Since then he’s been on a mission to continue refining and honing his craft, culminating in It’s PRINCIPLE! Produced by Mark Rankin (Queens of the Stone Age, Weezer, Spoon), this 10-song triumph taps into his emotions dealing with the loss of Cozmo, his dog and musical namesake.

The album opens with its title track, a song that nearly didn’t make the album. After initially sending Rankin a 25-minute music compilation with commentary that ultimately landed the producer, Cozmo saw a spike in creativity that produced upwards of 70 demos. “It’s PRINCIPLE!” was almost left off the list, but after sending it, Rankin suggested the song open the record. It’s a perfect start, luring us in with opening feedback and a tempo that sets the pace for the whole album. Cozmo’s sing-songy vocals come in and mention slashing tires on Main Street America and building to the crescendo we’ve come to love from his songs.

Transitioning into “Angels,” we’re met with a string opening that builds to a full band song with Cozmo singing of statues of youth covered in sand, and eventually declaring, “To hell with waiting, I’ll hail the breeze, for time is wasted on the backs of angels.” It’s an unapologetic rock song that shows influences from the likes of Cozmo’s friend and occasional mentor, Bruce Springsteen.

While Bruce’s influence is felt throughout the album as a whole, perhaps there is no more shining example than “Leave a Light On.” One of the first songs written for the album, Cozmo openly admits it’s “clearly inspired by Springsteen,” evident even without the singer’s confirmation. Starting with a giant piano intro that masterfully builds to a full-band track, Cozmo urges, “Gloria, step into the light. I wanna see that smile race across your face when I tell ya you were right.” The chorus is catchy and heartfelt, encouraging a cathartic singalong of, “‘Cause I, I’m leaving a light on,” that is sure to not leave a dry eye when performed live.

“July 4” stands as one of Cozmo’s favorites on the album, attributing to the chorus that leaves him heartbroken. “Give me my money back, give me everything you have. “No one’s in their right mind, baby here’s a cigarette,” he croons, as if to say we’re all fighting our own battles and struggles, so why not enjoy the simple things like sitting in the sunshine and enjoying a cigarette. (Note: smoking is bad! This song, however, is not.)

A signature of Mondo Cozmo’s music has been the songs’ build, adding layers until there is an undisputed climax that tugs on every possible heartstring. “Killing Floor” sees this done masterfully, and Cozmo considers it one of the best songs he’s ever recorded. It rewards your patience as it builds with intensity before perfectly fading into the next track, “Sundown in the Age of Fear” - another song that seamlessly builds from a piano/drum/vocal song to a full band sonic envelopment before fading back out.

Going into this album, Cozmo took a vulnerable but important step - admitting he had done everything he could do on his own, and he wanted to reach a sonic place he couldn’t get to alone. Collaborating with Rankin led to whittling down a plethora of demos to the perfectly crafted 10 tracks that It’s PRINCIPLE! boasts. It's a compilation that channels U2, Springsteen, and Radiohead, and incorporates elements that are distinctly Mondo Cozmo. Always obsessing over his music, Josh Ostrander has declared that we are in a new chapter of the tale of Mondo Cozmo with a very bright future.

Mondo Cozmo plays a hometown show at Underground Arts on October 26th, as part of the Philly Music Fest.
Review by Dan Baker