Lady Gaga has stunned fans once again by dropping a surprise album Friday titled Harlequin, inspired by the chaotic character Harley Quinn from the upcoming Joker: Folie à Deux movie which gets released this week.
Released via Interscope Records, the album was co-executive produced by Gaga and her partner, Michael Polansky. Fans can now stream or download the album, which Gaga teased earlier this week on Instagram, building anticipation with glimpses of her new project and a visual for the lead track, “The Joker.”
Affectionately dubbed LG6.5, Harlequin is described as a genre-defying exploration of the emotional complexity and chaos that defines Harley Quinn, much like Gaga herself. The album effortlessly flows between musical styles, blending jazz, punk, blues, and pop into an unpredictable yet bold experience. Gaga’s vision was to capture the untamed spirit of Harley Quinn, and she does so with unique arrangements of both classic songs and original compositions.
In her first jazz-inspired album since the passing of her longtime collaborator Tony Bennett, Gaga reimagines American musical standards with a modern, avant-garde twist. Tracks like “World On A String” and “Oh, When The Saints” blend blues and early American music with contemporary influences, while “Good Morning” and “Get Happy (2024)” capture Harley Quinn’s rebellious essence with fresh lyrics and high-energy performances.
Original songs such as “Happy Mistake” and “Folie À Deux” dive deep into Harley’s psyche, reflecting her struggle between identity and madness. Gaga’s vocals, often contrasting between sultry and chaotic, bring Harley’s duality to life in tracks like “The Joker” and “Smile,” the latter transforming into a haunting anthem of self-awareness.
Harlequin was recorded between Malibu and the Palms studio in Las Vegas during Gaga’s Jazz & Piano residency, where she collaborated with world-class musicians and arrangers. Longtime collaborator Benjamin Rice worked alongside Gaga to craft the album’s production, resulting in a sonic journey that captures the emotional highs and lows of one of pop culture’s most iconic characters.
As diverse and unpredictable as Harley Quinn herself, Harlequin promises to be an album like no other. It invites listeners to embrace the beautiful chaos of the character while showcasing Gaga’s ability to push musical boundaries and challenge expectations. This is Lady Gaga in her rawest, most unfiltered form—an artist, much like Harley, who thrives on the unexpected.
Fans can stream or download Harlequin now and immerse themselves in the untamed world of Harley Quinn, as envisioned by the ever-evolving Lady Gaga.
Joker: Folie à Deux opens Oct. 4 directed by Todd Phillips and also stars Joaquin Phoenix. Lady Gaga will also be appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tuesday and Wednesday.
Watch the Lady Gaga – Folie à Deux (Official Audio) music video:
