Limited Edition (250 only) pink vinyl LP. King of Cats – the project of Brighton-cum-Oxford songwriter Max Levy – will release a debut album, ‘Working Out’ through Art Reeks, the collaborative label by Art Is Hard and Reeks of Effort Records (ran by members of Joanna Gruesome).

Recorded by Johnathan Coddington in a big room with crystals, ‘Working Out’ is influenced variously by Internet radio, indeterminacy, Reeks of Effort (bands and people), the ability to buy guns from the internet, the muscular form and the village of Eynsham. It is a complex, frustrated and often funny record featuring cameos from members of Joanna Gruesome and Ides, who (along with a revolving cast of DIY musicians) comprise Levy’s live band.

Lyrical and sonic comparisons can be made to Stephin Merrit, Scout Niblett, Alasdair Roberts or Frankie Cosmos and elements of the D.I.Y indiepop and punk scenes King of Cats inhabits often shine through. But the sound and personality of “Working Out” lacks a derivative quality, partly due to Max’s totally distinctive, powerful singing voice.

“Most of the songs have something to do with the fear of being trapped in a feeble body, dreams of a muscular form and the relationship between one’s environment, one’s body and one’s being an idiot. I don’t work out a lot, but I think about it often”.