Words by Anthony Abu-Hanna
The acclaimed American funk sextet Lettuce is gearing up for their newest album, Cook, due out December 3rd. This will be the band’s 9th studio album, quite an achievement these days. In anticipation of the release, the band shared an advance copy with us. If you can’t wait to hear this new album, check out the three singles “Gold Tooth,” “Rising to the Top,” and “Breathe” on your streaming service of choice.
Cook is an experiment in combining their love of food and music. Treat it like fine dining. It’s a way to expand your tastes and try something new. It’s a menu that leaves you with something fresh after each bite. Lettuce took that to heart as their ever-expanding sonic palette goes in wildly new directions, from different genres to different cultures of music. Even with this new exploration, the band’s roots can still be heard, with inspiration drawn from James Brown, Tower of Power, and Maceo Parker.
“Hearing music from different countries has broadened our creative outlook,” drummer Adam Deitch said. [1]
For the first course, the opening track “Grewt Up” hooks the listener with staccato horns and Adam Deitch’s tight snare. It launches into an auditory exploration of synths and horns, weaving a reverberating melody before hammering back into a staccato break. Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes described it as “fresh, super-vibey.” [1]
Throughout this album, the band has interludes titled “Sesshins.” These little morsels of music explore the more electronic and wavy aspects of their vocabulary. Heavy on the synth and circular guitar rhythms, they’re a blend of Afro-Caribbean and dance music.
The absolute standout track “7-Tribes” reminds me of an earlier Lettuce song “The Force,” but takes it to new dimensions—with a muted clarinet, percussion, and a Middle Eastern-inspired riff happening midway through the song before building into an explosive finale with its spinning synth in the background.
“Gold Tooth” is a power funk banger that gets your feet moving. This song is as true as you get to Lettuce’s core sound—horns leading the way, Eric Coomes’ bass line loud and in your face, Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff’s crunch guitar playing circles around the rhythm section, and drummer Adam Deitch keeping everything in check.
“Rising to the Top,” the second single off this album, is a cover of Keni Burke’s iconic song. The song showcases Nigel Hall on vocals and keyboards—paying tribute to all the power from ’80s R&B. It’s a love letter to the band’s fans and sends a message of positivity. “Breathe,” on the other hand, had me hooked right from the first notes of Shmeeans’ guitar. The third single sounds like the type of song to bump on a summer beach day. “The Matador” is frenetic, energetic, and layered with tons of percussion.
How could there be a Lettuce album without a title track? “Cook” gets weird with different horns and guitar contrasting each other throughout the first minute before blending together and telling an almost alien-sounding story in the kitchen. “Storm Coming” is a hip-hop lover’s dream, with inspiration drawn heavily from the Wu-Tang Clan. You could hear this track as the beat for the legendary group.
It’s always a treat when you get a track with Nigel Hall singing. “Keep On” allows him to lean in and sing over a very fast-paced song—all about resilience and determination to not give up.
After listening to this album a few times this week, it’s safe to say it’s a standout album from Lettuce. And as an avid home chef, I’m excited to check out the bonus that will come with vinyl records—a cookbook inspired by the album. I’m looking forward to both listening to this album when it’s out AND whipping up some dishes from it.
“Music and food are very related,” Deitch said. “Use the wrong ingredients in either and you can ruin the sound and the meal.” [1]
Ahead of this album release, Lettuce is currently on tour and just announced a bunch of East Coast dates in 2026. As part of the 2026 run, fans can also access the exclusive “Cookin’ with the Band” VIP experience, a pre-show hang designed for funk lovers and foodies alike. Available for all January and February shows, the package includes soundcheck viewing access; setlist voting power; early merch shopping + discount code; and limited-edition keepsakes like a custom ‘Cook’ apron, a printed recipe zine, and a signed tour laminate. Access is limited to 75 VIP spots per night and can be purchased at lettucefunk.com/tour.
[1] Lettuce || ‘Cook’ – LP Bio via The Syndicate
TheWaster.com | Cook
12.3.25
