CARLTON MELTON — Reason Beings LP

Carlton Melton – Reason Beings LP arrives on Agitated as catalogue AGIT076, a 12-inch vinyl that pushes the artist’s West Coast space-sike aesthetic into a live-recorded, Krautrock-tinged realm. The release, limited to 500 copies on crystal clear vinyl, offers just over forty minutes of music across four extended pieces that blend hypnotic psychedelia, motorik rhythm and indie-house sheen. Within Agitated’s recent output, Reason Beings follows the earlier AGIT075R by Kelley Stoltz and the 2025 AGIT074 Boone LP from FKwolf, situating Melton’s record amid a line of adventurous, genre-blurring releases. The label’s current trajectory emphasizes textured, experimental dance music, and this LP deepens that narrative with a full band configuration recorded at 3D Light in Freshwater, CA. Side A opens with “1: Spirit Lens”, a track that establishes a spacious, meditative atmosphere before the groove subtly shifts into a more propulsive pulse, setting the tone for the side. “2: Comes Fire” picks up the momentum, extending the rhythmic drive while maintaining the record’s airy ambience, creating a seamless flow that encourages a DJ to let the set breathe. The B-side begins with “3: The Absence Of Sensation”, a longer exploration that leans into Krautrock-inspired improvisation, its evolving textures offering a perfect backdrop for a late-night transition. Closing the journey, “4: Forever Room” resolves the record’s narrative with a lingering, drone-like quality that invites the listener to linger on the final echo, making it an effective closing statement for a set. Melton’s latest outing marks a notable development in the artist’s catalogue, moving from earlier studio-centric releases to a fully live-recorded format that incorporates drums, bass, guitars and keys. The involvement of Anthony Taibi in production, alongside the mastering work of John Mcbain, adds a polished yet organic sheen that aligns with the label’s emphasis on tactile, immersive soundscapes. For DJs, the four tracks provide versatile building blocks: the opening “Spirit Lens” works as an intro or mood-setter, “Comes Fire” can sustain energy on the dancefloor, “The Absence Of Sensation” offers a hypnotic bridge for deeper set moments, and “Forever Room” serves as a reflective outro or a palette cleanser. Collectors will appreciate the crystal clear vinyl presentation, which captures the nuanced dynamics of the live performance. The release is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, presented in a clear, transparent vinyl that showcases the physical medium while delivering the full dynamic range of the recording. Carlton Melton – Reason Beings LP, Agitated, catalogue AGIT076, 12-inch vinyl, four tracks. Tracklist: A1. Carlton Melton – 1: Spirit Lens A2. Carlton Melton – 2: Comes Fire A3. Carlton Melton – 3: The Absence Of Sensation A4. Carlton Melton – 4: Forever Room