Lady Gaga’s latest album, “Harlequin,” offers a departure from her usual style, featuring childlike vocals and reinterpreted jazz classics. In a departure from her signature thumping beats and pop hooks, the album serves as a companion to the new film “Joker: Folie à Deux,” set to be released in early October. Lady Gaga surprised many fans with the announcement of the album’s cinematic tie-in on Instagram.
The album cover features Lady Gaga drenched under a shower, adorned in a red life jacket and a white dress, with her makeup smudged. This striking imagery sets the tone for the unconventional nature of the album.
“Harlequin” includes several songs from the upcoming film, which serves as a sequel to the acclaimed 2019 thriller “Joker.” In the film, Lady Gaga takes on the role of Harley Quinn, while Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as the troubled comedian Arthur Fleck, who later becomes Batman’s iconic nemesis.
What makes “Harlequin” particularly unique is Lady Gaga’s approach to the album. She has drawn inspiration from her film character, infusing the album with the perspective and emotions of Harley Quinn. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Lady Gaga revealed that she developed a deep connection with her character, feeling reluctant to let go of Harley Quinn after filming concluded.
This immersive approach to her roles is not new for Lady Gaga. During the filming of “House Of Gucci,” she reportedly remained in character off-camera, even adopting her character’s accent in her interactions outside of filming. This level of dedication underscores Lady Gaga’s commitment to her craft and her desire to fully embody the characters she portrays.
In her latest album “Joker: Folie à Deux,” Lady Gaga, as per her record label Interscope Records, dedicated herself to meticulously researching, elaborating, and fully embodying her role as Harley Quinn. Such was her commitment to the character that she even began imagining what an album from Harley Quinn’s perspective would sound like. The album serves as her parting tribute to the iconic film character.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Lady Gaga described the album as a reflection of her own identity intertwined with her vision of the diverse possibilities for women. She aimed to capture the character’s complexity, encompassing her darkness, chaos, vibrancy, and manic nature within the album’s sound.
Lady Gaga further revealed that she ventured into uncharted territory by experimenting with her vocal range during the recording process. She acknowledged that there are moments in the album where she channels Lee’s voice and embodies the character’s childlike immaturity through her singing.
Lady Gaga’s upcoming album “Harlequin” features 13 songs that she describes as a “modern interpretation of vintage-pop.” The album includes new renditions of classic tracks such as Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life” and Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney’s “Good Morning.” Lady Gaga expressed her excitement about reimagining these timeless songs, stating, “It’s nice to be able to show how these things can be reimagined beyond just the notes and the style of the way they were written.” Notably, the album transforms the 1932 hit “I’ve Got the World on a String” into a rock song.
Renowned for her versatility and vocal prowess, Lady Gaga showcases her passion and musical range in “Harlequin.” This album follows her successful forays into jazz standards with Tony Bennett in “Love for Sale” and “Cheek To Cheek.” The seamless blend of cover songs and big band arrangements in “Harlequin” highlights Lady Gaga’s ability to captivate audiences with her emotive performances.
While “Harlequin” pays homage to vintage pop, Lady Gaga is also gearing up for the release of her seventh studio album in February of next year. The first single from the upcoming album is scheduled for release in October, building anticipation for what’s to come.
In a departure from her film work, the track “Happy Mistake” stands out as it delves into the challenges of navigating life in the public eye. Backed by an acoustic guitar, Lady Gaga’s poignant lyrics reflect on the overwhelming nature of fame, asking, “How’d I get so addicted to the love of the whole world?” This introspective song may offer a glimpse into the themes that will define her upcoming music.
