Jim James rides Mondo Cozmo on White Roses
Mondo Cozmo is proving that some of the best musical moments aren’t just about riffs—they are about the unexpected connections forged in old friendships and the soulful perspective gained through life’s tougher passages. Philadelphia-born singer and multi-instrumentalist Josh Ostrander has released a compelling new collaboration with My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James, previewing his highly anticipated fifth studio album, Sweet Forever.
The resulting track, “White Roses,” leans into the anthemic heartland rock that has long defined Mondo Cozmo‘s sound, providing an emotionally resonant backdrop for James’ vocals. The collaboration was born out of a serendipitous moment: James’ manager heard the song and passed it along. Upon receiving the request, James simply said, “do whatever you want with it. I’m honored to sing on it,” a sentiment that Ostrander admits he found genuinely astonishing.
The inspiration for the new work is deeply personal. The album’s title track arose from Ostrander’s time following the loss of his dog, Cozmo, who was the namesake of his musical project. “I wanted to write something for him that I could actually sing without it hurting every time,” Ostrander explains. “It’s a song about missing someone, but also just being grateful that you got to love them in the first place.”
With this emotional foundation, Ostrander channeled his energy, composing 13 additional songs in just two weeks. He brought in the familiar, influential crew of the Cobbs, the Philadelphia band who helped shape his early musical life. The creative process was further fueled by encouragement from figures like Garbage drummer and producer Butch Vig, who urged him to push his boundaries and hear his vision clearly.
The creation of Sweet Forever was a true labor of love, recorded in Ostrander’s Napa, California, garage. The album’s momentum was already significant, with the title track gaining traction by closing the fourth season of Amazon’s Reacher. This attention builds on the earlier success of Ostrander’s 2016 breakout single, “Shine,” which propelled him into the spotlight, leading to appearances on major stages like Bonnaroo and Governors Ball, and drawing the interest of figures like Bruce Springsteen.
As the project moves toward completion, Ostrander is bringing the new music to life on the road. Sweet Forever will launch a December headline tour, kicking off on December 5th at Chicago’s Bottom Lounge and continuing through stops in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York. The journey of Mondo Cozmo continues, offering a powerful mix of personal reflection and rock-and-roll energy.
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