Mondo Cozmo is the moniker of Josh Ostrander, a Philadelphia native who made quite a name for himself in the world of alt-rock as the frontman for Laguardia in the early to mid-2000s, and then Eastern Conference Champions after that. Even though he's only been going the solo route for a few years, he's making quite an impression as Mondo Cozmo, and this sophomore album is sure to turn quite a few more heads his direction. 
Cozmo draws us in instantly with the warm guitar lines and pounding drums of the opener, “Black Cadillac,” where his slightly raspy but tuneful pipes guide the busy rocker. “Upside Down” continues the landscape with a soulful approach as talking and singing enter the hip-hop flavored inspired atmosphere.
Things only get more interested from here, including the playful piano and R&B influences of “Like A Bird,” while “Come On” recruits a strummed guitar for a dizzying display of Brit-like rock that would appeal to fans of Oasis. “Generator,” one of the album standouts, then takes a nearly spiritual angle with strategic repetition in the soaring, majestic delivery.
The final two tracks are some of the most varied, as “It Fills The Room” glides with a dreamy quality and “Cigarette (Age Of Innocence)” exits the listen with Cozmo channeling an inner Bob Dylan with much depth and impact.
Somewhat a familiar story, following the success of his debut album, Ostrander spent a full year touring and doing promotion. Eventually, the pressures of this lifestyle caught up with him, resulting in some self-harm and a trip to the hospital to put his hand back together (he punched a glass door). After being put on meds following the breakdown – hence the album title – the new songs leaked out of Ostrander like a sieve in, and I say this was no exaggeration, a record of the year sort of fashion.
If names like Lou Reed, Thom Yorke, and Beck mean anything to you, New Medicine absolutely warrants plenty of your time.