Harlequin, the highly anticipated soundtrack album by American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga, was released on September 27, 2024, through Interscope Records. This album serves as a companion piece to the musical thriller film Joker: Folie à Deux, where Gaga portrays the iconic DC character Harley Quinn. The album is a creative extension of Gaga’s artistic journey, blending various musical styles and showcasing her growth as an artist. Described by Gaga as “vintage pop,” Harlequin features a mix of songs from the film’s soundtrack alongside two original tracks, expanding on her previous ventures into jazz music while incorporating elements of rock, soul, gospel, and doo-wop.
The development of Harlequin began after the completion of Gaga’s Chromatica Ball tour in 2022. During this time, she took a break from social media and promotional activities to focus on her role as Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (Harley Quinn) in Joker: Folie à Deux. In a reflective Instagram post from June 16, 2023, she mentioned spending time “healing” while editing her concert film and working on music for a “special project.” Throughout 2023 and into 2024, Gaga teased her fans with glimpses of her creative process through social media, sharing studio photos and insights into the making of the album. At the film’s red carpet premiere in London on September 25, 2024, Gaga articulated her inspiration for the album, stating, “When we were done with the movie, I wasn’t done with her. Because I’m not done with her, I made Harlequin.” This sentiment encapsulates the album’s exploration of complex femininity and identity.
Harlequin marks a significant moment in Gaga’s musical evolution, representing her first jazz standard record without her longtime collaborator Tony Bennett. Despite this, she emphasized the positive influence Bennett had on her work, stating that his spirit remained with her throughout the process. Gaga’s artistic choices reflect a risk-taking approach that blends genres and styles, showcasing her unique ability to merge jazz with other musical elements. The album consists of thirteen tracks, featuring well-known jazz standards along with original pieces like “Folie à Deux” and “Happy Mistake.” The latter track addresses Gaga’s struggles with identity, portraying a sense of longing for happiness amid a chaotic existence.
The promotional rollout for Harlequin began on September 20, 2024, with Gaga posting cryptic images hinting at the album’s release. On September 24, she revealed the album title and cover artwork, referring to it as a “companion album” to Joker: Folie à Deux. She utilized her Instagram platform to announce a collaboration with the Louvre Museum, creating buzz around the album’s themes and artistic vision. The accompanying visual features Gaga exploring the museum at night, drawing a Joker-inspired grin on the Mona Lisa using red lipstick. This innovative promotion aligns with the theatrical nature of the album and its ties to the film, as Gaga continues to engage her fans in unique and imaginative ways.
The album artwork itself is striking, featuring Gaga in a shower with orange hair, clad in a white dress and a flotation device around her neck. An alternate cover, exclusive to her web store, presents her lying in a messy bedroom, filled with items referencing her past work, including collaborations with Bennett and the Joanne World Tour. The album’s back cover includes a photograph of a chaotic bedroom adorned with the 1862 painting Stańczyk by Jan Matejko, further enhancing the visual narrative of the album.
Critical reception for Harlequin has been generally favorable, with Metacritic assigning it a score of 70 based on eight reviews, indicating a positive consensus among critics. Michael Cragg from The Guardian noted the album’s similarities to Gaga’s previous jazz collaborations while emphasizing her engagement with the material. Mary Siroky of Consequence described the album as interesting and stylistically excellent, appreciating Gaga’s reverence for the standards she covers and the playful tweaks she incorporates into her performances. As Harlequin continues to resonate with audiences, it reaffirms Lady Gaga’s position as a multifaceted artist unafraid to explore new musical territories while paying homage to her roots.