While fans eagerly await Lady Gaga’s highly anticipated seventh album, she has treated her Little Monsters to a mesmerizing musical project: Harlequin. Released ahead of Joker: Folie à Deux, in which Gaga plays Harley Quinn, this 13-track album captures the character’s wild essence, blending beloved showtunes with original compositions that reflect Harley’s dual identities.
Inspired by her deep connection to Harley Quinn, Gaga’s Harlequin isn’t merely a soundtrack; it’s a celebration of musical storytelling. Covering timeless classics like “Good Morning” from Singing in the Rain and “If My Friends Could See Me Now” from Sweet Charity, Gaga reimagines these songs through her avant-garde lens. Each cover feels like a journey into the chaotic, untamed mind of Harley Quinn.
However, Harlequin is more than covers. Lady Gaga offers two original tracks: “Folie à Deux,” a haunting waltz that mirrors the psychological tension of the Joker’s world, and “Happy Mistake,” a raw, acoustic ballad. Co-written with BloodPop, “Happy Mistake” explores the inner conflict of broken characters in the public eye. Gaga’s fiancé Michael Polansky also co-produced the album, lending personal significance to the project.
Gaga explained her connection to the character and the album’s creation: “Harley didn’t leave me creatively after filming. I wanted this album to reflect that. If I wanted it to be blues, it’s blues. If I wanted funk, it’s funk. She’s complex, and this album honors that freedom.”
Teased under the code name “LG 6.5” before its release, Harlequin is not the sequel to Gaga’s Chromatica. That much-anticipated album, due in February 2025, promises to take a different direction. For now, Harlequin offers a thrilling, unpredictable musical experience—a true homage to the character of Harley Quinn and a testament to Gaga’s versatility as both artist and producer.
Listen to Harlequin now and get ready for Joker: Folie à Deux next week in theaters!
