Some remix projects feel like afterthoughts. David Cloyd’s Cage of Water [Remixes] does not. Instead, it comes across as a careful and genuinely inspired extension of a song that already carried emotional weight. After more than a decade away from the spotlight, Cloyd’s return with Red Sky Warning has been steady, confident, and rooted in substance rather than hype. This EP continues that trajectory, offering a deeper look into one of the album’s most quietly affecting moments.
The collaboration with James Tabbi is what gives this release its real purpose. Rather than stripping the song down or rebuilding it for convenience, Tabbi listens closely to what makes “Cage of Water” work in the first place. The standout track for me is Synambient Remix is a clear highlight of the EP, enveloping the song in a dreamlike atmosphere. The line “can turn off the lights…….. by swimming in deep” hits with particular poignancy, evoking a quiet sense of surrender and introspection that stays with the listener well beyond the track’s end. Each remix feels intentional, shaped by mood and narrative rather than trend. There’s patience in the pacing and clarity in the production that rewards focused listening.
What stands out most is how naturally the themes translate across versions. The image of isolation of being able to see freedom but not reach it feels sharper here, not heavier. Tabbi’s “Drop of Red Remix” subtly heightens the tension, leaning into repetition and pulse to echo the song’s sense of containment. It’s not dramatic in an obvious way; it’s quietly unsettling, which makes it linger long after it ends.
Cloyd’s original inspiration, drawn from the disorientation of early parenthood and the haunting stillness of aquarium-bound sharks, gives the song a human core that no remix could erase. With Blake Morgan’s mastering bringing cohesion and warmth, Cage of Water [Remixes] succeeds because it respects the song’s emotional truth. This is a release built on trust, collaboration, and restraint, and that’s exactly why it works.
Connect with DAVID CLOYD on ecrmusicgroup.com, Facebook, Spotify, YouTube, Instagram
English