Lady Gaga releases surprise album 'Harlequin,' inspired by ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’

Lady Gaga has surprised fans with the release of a new album titled Harlequin, featuring songs inspired by her character Lee in the upcoming film Joker: Folie À Deux, in which she stars alongside Joaquin Phoenix. 

The album includes a mix of classic American Songbook hits and original tracks, showcasing both her jazz and rock influences.

Harlequin includes renditions of timeless songs such as “Get Happy,” “That’s Life,” and “That’s Entertainment,” along with two original Gaga tracks. One of the originals, titled “Folie À Deux,” shares its name with the film’s subtitle, tying the project to the movie’s themes. While the vibe of the album resembles her earlier collaborations with Tony Bennett—Cheek to Cheek and Love for Sale—the arrangements here lean more into a fusion of rock and jazz.

Earlier this week, Gaga teased the release by displaying cryptic billboards reading “LG 6.5,” hinting that Harlequin is an intermediary project rather than her upcoming seventh full studio album, which is still slated for release in February next year. The first single from that future album is expected to drop in October.

Fans can expect the songs in the film itself to differ from the versions on this album, with Joker: Folie À Deux set to hit theaters on October 4.