
Feature Photo: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com
Cate Le Bon, born Cate Timothy on March 4, 1983, in the quaint town of Penboyr, Carmarthenshire, Wales, has steadily carved a distinctive niche in the modern music world. Her approach, characterized by an enigmatic blend of art rock and psych-folk, has not only defined her career but has also positioned her as a pivotal figure in contemporary indie music.
Le Bon’s musical journey began in earnest when she supported Gruff Rhys of the Super Furry Animals on his 2007 UK tour, giving her a platform to introduce her ethereal voice and introspective songwriting to a broader audience. Her early work included backing vocals on Richard Jamesās debut solo album, The Seven Sleepers Den, and her presence continued to expand with appearances on subsequent albums.
HerĀ first solo release, the Welsh-language EPĀ Edrych yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg (Looking in the Eyes of a Borrowed Horse), came out in 2008 onĀ Peski Records. The title reflects a Welsh idiomatic expression equivalent to the English “to look a gift horse in the mouth,” which hinted at the introspective and often surreal themes that would pervade her later work. This release, coupled with the self-published singles “No One Can Drag Me Down” / “Disappear,” marked her departure from conventional music production and distribution, showcasing her independent spirit.
Le Bonās debut album, Me Oh My, arrived in 2009, setting the tone for her unique soundscapes that blend haunting melodies with deeply lyrical content. Her subsequent album, Cyrk, and companion EP, Cyrk II, released in 2012, further established her reputation for crafting meticulous, layered compositions that feel both vintage and avant-garde. By the time she released Mug Museum in 2013, after relocating to Los Angeles, Le Bon had refined her production skills, working alongside notable producers like Noah Georgeson and Josiah Steinbrick. This album featured collaborations that brought additional textures to her sound, reflecting her evolving artistic maturity. Her solo studio catalog later expanded through Crab Day, Reward, Pompeii, and Michelangelo Dying.
Le Bon has not only excelled in her solo career but also as part of the experimental music duo DRINKS with Tim Presley. This collaboration has allowed her to explore more abstract musical territories, pushing her creative boundaries further. As a record producer, she has worked with a diverse array of artists including Deerhunter, John Grant, and Kurt Vile, which has further enriched her musical versatility.
Her influence extends beyond her own releases. Le Bon has contributed to the works of others, providing guest vocals for Kevin Morby and Manic Street Preachers, and her production fingerprints can be found on albums from a range of indie darlings.
CATE LE BON STUDIO ALBUMS
Me Oh My (2009)
Released: 2009
Me Oh My marks Cate Le Bon’s debut studio album, introducing her unique blend of psychedelic and folk influences. The album was recorded in Cardiff and produced by Krissie Jenkins. It features Le Bon’s distinct vocals and guitar, supported by a minimalist yet poignant arrangement of instruments.
CD Track Listings:
- “Me Oh My” – 3:47
- “Sad Sad Feet” – 3:35
- “Shoeing the Bones” – 3:39
- “Hollow Trees House Hounds” – 3:33
- “Itās Not the End” – 3:23
- “Terror of the Man” – 4:38
- “Eyes So Bright” – 4:10
- “Digging Song” – 3:02
- “Burn Until the End” – 3:30
- “Out to Sea” – 2:36
Cyrk (2012)
Released: 2012
Cyrk was released to critical acclaim, showcasing a richer, more developed sound. Recorded in Cardiff and produced by Krissie Jenkins, the album features intricate melodies and a deeper exploration into Le Bon’s avant-garde pop sensibilities.
CD Track Listings:
- “Falcon Eyed” – 2:48
- “Puts Me to Work” – 3:27
- “Cyrk” – 3:05
- “Julia” – 3:23
- “Greta” – 3:36
- “Fold the Cloth” – 5:39
- “The Man I Wanted” – 3:08
- “Through the Mill” – 3:07
- “Ploughing Out” – 3:52
- “Ploughing Out Part 2” – 2:59
Mug Museum (2013)
Released: 2013
Mug Museum was recorded in Los Angeles, California, and produced by Noah Georgeson and Josiah Steinbrick. This album is noted for its thematic focus on relationships and the passing of Le Bon’s grandmother, which influences its introspective lyrics.
CD Track Listings:
- “I Canāt Help You” – 4:00
- “Are You with Me Now?” – 4:20
- “Duke” – 3:49
- “No God” – 4:38
- “I Think I Knew” (featuring Perfume Genius) – 4:48
- “Wild” – 3:28
- “Sisters” – 4:05
- “Mirror Me” – 3:48
- “Cuckoo Through the Walls” – 5:29
- “Mug Museum” – 3:44
Crab Day (2016)
Released: 2016
Recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Noah Georgeson and Josiah Steinbrick, Crab Day represents a departure into more abstract and experimental sounds, reflecting Le Bonās continuous evolution as an artist.
CD Track Listings:
- “Crab Day” – 3:51
- “Love is Not Love” – 3:04
- “Wonderful” – 2:38
- “Find Me” – 2:53
- “I’m a Dirty Attic” – 3:08
- “I Was Born on the Wrong Day” – 2:20
- “We Might Revolve” – 3:49
- “Yellow Blinds, Cream Shadows” – 4:05
- “How Do You Know?” – 3:27
- “Whatās Not Mine” – 7:27
Reward (2019)
Released: 2019
Reward is an album that saw Le Bon stepping further into the role of producer, crafting songs in the Lake District of England and continuing the recording process in California. The album was praised for its vivid songwriting and lush instrumentation, earning a Mercury Prize nomination.
CD Track Listings:
- “Miami” – 5:17
- “Daylight Matters” – 4:18
- “Home to You” – 5:27
- “Motherās Motherās Magazines” – 4:17
- “Here It Comes Again” – 3:24
- “Sad Nudes” – 3:08
- “The Light” – 4:51
- “Magnificent Gestures” – 5:00
- “You Donāt Love Me” – 3:06
- “Meet the Man” – 3:55
Pompeii (2022)
Released: 2022
Recorded amidst the global pandemic, Pompeii was self-produced by Le Bon in Cardiff, Wales.
CD Track Listings:
- “Dirt on the Bed” – 4:28
- “Moderation” – 4:04
- “French Boys” – 5:14
- “Pompeii” – 4:35
- “Harbour” – 4:08
- “Running Away” – 5:43
- “Cry Me Old Trouble” – 5:04
- “Remembering Me” – 4:34
- “Wheel” – 5:28
Michelangelo Dying (2025)
Released: September 26, 2025
Released by Mexican Summer, Michelangelo Dying is Cate Le Bon’s seventh studio album. The record was produced by Le Bon and Samur Khouja and continued the sound that had taken shape across Reward and Pompeii. In January 2026, Le Bon followed the album with the standalone single “Always The Same,” featuring St. Vincent.
CD Track Listings:
- “Jerome” – 4:06
- “Love Unrehearsed” – 4:14
- “Mothers of Riches” – 4:34
- “Is It Worth It (Happy Birthday)?” – 5:47
- “Pieces of My Heart” – 3:39
- “About Time” – 3:30
- “Heaven Is No Feeling” – 3:48
- “Body as a River” – 4:30
- “Ride” (featuring John Cale) – 3:53
- “I Know What’s Nice” – 5:20
CATE LE BON EXTENDED PLAYS
Edrych yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg (2008)
Released: 2008
Le Bon’s first solo release was the five-track Welsh-language EP Edrych yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg, released by Peski Records.
Track Listings:
- “Hwylio Mewn Cyfog” – 4:25
- “Mas Mas” – 4:06
- “Baw Waw Delmi Dot” – 2:45
- “Byw Heb Farw” – 5:02
- “O Bont I Bont” – 4:05
Cyrk II (2012)
Released: 2012
Cyrk II is a five-track companion EP made up of songs recorded during the Cyrk sessions that did not appear on the album.
Track Listings:
- “What Is Worse” – 4:57
- “The Eiggy Sea” – 4:38
- “That Moon” – 4:54
- “Seaside, Low Tide” – 5:13
- “January” – 6:43
Rock Pool (2017)
Released: 2017
Rock Pool is a four-track EP drawn from material recorded during the Crab Day sessions.
Track Listings:
- “Aside From Growing Old” – 3:48
- “Rock Pool” – 3:12
- “Perfume Days” – 4:03
- “I Just Wanna Be Good” – 3:01
Myths 004 (2019)
Released: 2019
Myths 004 is a collaborative EP by Cate Le Bon and Bradford Cox, released by Mexican Summer.
Track Listings:
- “Canto!” – 4:16
- “Secretary” – 2:41
- “Companions in Misfortune” – 1:50
- “Constance” – 6:03
- “Fireman” – 3:04
- “Jericho” – 0:28
- “What Is She Wearing” – 6:43
Here It Comes Again (2020)
Released: 2020
Here It Comes Again is a five-track EP credited to Cate Le Bon and Group Listening, featuring reworked versions of songs from Reward.
Track Listings:
- “The Light” – 1:52
- “Here It Comes Again” – 3:52
- “Sad Nudes” – 5:24
- “Miami” – 4:47
- “Magnificent Gestures” – 6:51
CATE LE BON WITH DRINKS
Hermits on Holiday (2015)
Released: 2015
Hermits on Holiday is an album by DRINKS, the collaborative project of Cate Le Bon and Tim Presley. Released in 2015 by Heavenly Recordings, this debut album captures the experimental essence of the duo, blending elements of psychedelic pop with abstract and whimsical song structures. Recorded in various makeshift studios while the duo was on holiday, the album carries a distinct lo-fi aesthetic that complements its experimental vibe.
CD Track Listings:
- “Laying Down Rock” – 3:52
- “Focus on the Street” – 4:21
- “Cannon Mouth” – 3:52
- “She Walks So Fast” – 5:29
- “Hermits on Holiday” – 3:27
- “Spilt the Beans” – 6:43
- “Tim, Do I Like That Dog” – 6:37
- “Cheerio” – 2:12
- “Time Between” – 5:15
Hippo Lite (2018)
Released: 2018
Hippo Lite is the second album by DRINKS, released in 2018 on Drag City. For this project, Cate Le Bon and Tim Presley decamped to a small, remote village in France, where they immersed themselves in a creative incubator free from distractions. This setting influenced the albumās minimalist, idiosyncratic style, which is marked by its stark, unadorned arrangements and a playful approach to songwriting.
CD Track Listings:
- “Blue From The Dark” – 3:02
- “IF IT” – 0:40
- “Real Outside” – 4:27
- “When I Was Young” – 0:57
- “In The Night Kitchen” – 2:49
- “Greasing Up” – 2:50
- “Corner Shops” – 4:26
- “IF IT (reprise)” – 1:55
- “Ducks” – 2:43
- “Leave The Lights On” – 2:46
- “Pink or Die” – 3:05
- “You Could Be Better” – 5:00
Updated August 24, 2026.
Complete List Of Cate Le Bon Albums And Songs article published on ClassicRockHistory.com Ā© 2026



























