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Lady Gaga has just revealed the cover art for her latest album, Harlequin, which she describes as a “companion album” to the soundtrack for her upcoming film Joker: Folie à Deux, directed by Todd Phillips. This new project seems to be deeply connected to her role as Harleen Lee Quinzel, better known as Harley Quinn, a character she portrays alongside Joaquin Phoenix.
In a recent appearance on The Zane Lowe Show, Gaga shared insights about her character and how playing Harleen inspired her to create Harlequin. She explained that the theme of dual identities has always been present in her music, as she often creates different characters in her work. Developing Harleen for the Joker sequel had a “profound effect” on her, leading her to explore this new musical journey.
Gaga mentioned that the film features a lot of music that resonated with her, allowing her to immerse herself in the character through live performances, dance, costumes, and makeup. She described the experience as “deep,” indicating that Harleen stayed with her creatively, prompting her to craft a whole album inspired by the character.
In her discussion, she characterized Harleen as a “really complex woman,” emphasizing the creative freedom she felt as a female artist and producer. Gaga expressed that she could dictate the style of the album—whether it be blues or funk—rooting it all in the character’s essence while reflecting her own core identity.
She also touched on how every character she embodies draws from her own experiences, especially regarding her life in the public eye and the challenges she faced in the music industry since her teenage years.
Joker: Folie à Deux is set to hit theaters on October 4, 2024. The film follows Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix, who, now a patient at Arkham State Hospital, falls in love with a music therapist named Lee, played by Gaga. Together, they navigate a world of musical madness fueled by their shared delusions, while Arthur’s supporters rally for his liberation.
As for Harlequin, the album features 13 tracks and is already available, promising fans a rich experience influenced by Gaga’s multifaceted role.