"It's been a long time coming, but I'm H.A.P.P.Y" croons Boy George on the slinky, electro calypso of Happy, the first single from DJ Yoda's forthcoming album. "I had this track and was trying to think about who would sound great doing vocals," Yoda, AKA Duncan Beiny, tells me. "I started to think back to the music of my childhood in the 80s, but who also still has an incredible voice."

He finally settled on Boy George after hearing his surprisingly good take on Lana Del Rey's Video Games. Having previously worked with everyone from the Jungle Brothers to Danger Mouse to Goldie, Yoda's career has been marked by what some have referred to as a "cartoony" musical style. On Happy – premiered here – his soundbed of synths and padded drum beats perfectly suits George's laidback delivery. "I don't think that anyone who has followed my DJ career would have expected me to make a track with Boy George, and I love that!" he adds.

• Happy is out on 17 September on Get Involved.