Premiered as the latest Inbox Fresh on BBC Radio 1Xtra, ‘Keep Your Head Down’ is a soul-laden slice of funk eccentricity recalling Gnarls Barkley and vintage Parliament Funkadelic. With production handled by indie darling SOHN, the singles’ lyrics centre around the refugee crisis, hiding a much darker tone underneath the innately catchy, head-bobbing rhythm section.

Speaking on the track, Jodie says “I started writing this song after I woke up one morning in my hotel room in LA and started watching a segment on refugees. That same day I had a studio session with Nick Ruth and SOHN so I went in the studio with this idea in my head. I wanted to sympathise and put myself in their shoes to express what it could be like to flee your country with your family in the midst of war and destruction in the hopes of finding safety in a Western country, only to not be accepted there. That absolute feeling of total unease and desperation…We’re safe here, but we can only imagine”.

 Jodie is currently gearing up for the release of his debut album early next year. With confirmed collaborations including the likes of Tobias Jesso Jr, Grades (NAO/Bonzai), Boston Bun & SOHN, Jodie’s upcoming LP is looking set to be one of the UK’s most eclectic and exciting releases.

You can listen to ‘Keep Your Head Down’ below.

 Glenn Sargeant

 (Many thanks to Simon at Chuff Media for help with this announcement)