Rother recorded Katzenmusik in conditions that were similar to his debut and second studio album, working again with Neu!

Aside from Liebezeit, the entirety of the album was written and performed by Rother utilising guitar and electronic instrumentation.

[2] Instead of clearly differentiated tracks the twelve pieces are variations layered around four different five-note melodies that recur either as single string statements triple-track or stark chords supporting them.

In 1993, Rother secured the rights to his back catalogue and re-issued all of his solo albums with bonus tracks and remastered sound on his own label, Random Records.

Thom Jurek writing for Allmusic acclaims the album as one of Rother's best works: "singular in its achievement, a perfect melding of taste, dynamics, pace, melodic invention, and emotional and spiritual honesty, all woven into the spirit of rock & roll'.