Lady Gaga has unveiled an exhilarating 13-track album, Harlequin, as the soulful soundtrack to her upcoming film masterpiece, Joker: Folie à Deux. The multi-talented singer-actor had been subtly stirring anticipation on social media, and now she triumphantly announces that the album will resonate with fans worldwide on September 27th.
The album's tracklist promises a captivating blend of classic covers from the film, including 'Get Happy' and 'Oh, When the Saints,' intertwined with brand-new compositions. Gaga had earlier hinted that the lead single from her seventh studio album would debut in October, preceding the full album's grand entrance in February.
Billboards cunningly teased the enigmatic number '6.5,' fueling speculations prior to Harlequin's reveal. Gaga portrays the enigmatic Harleen Quinzel in this musical sequel to the blockbuster DC thriller Joker, alongside Joaquin Phoenix, reprising their iconic roles.
"I crafted a waltz especially for the film," Gaga recently confided to Vogue, "with the accompaniment of a live pianist, Alex Smith, who graced my scenes. There are scenes where I embody an adult woman, her voice innocent as a child's, navigating the world with a charming naivety that I found utterly intriguing."
The film premiered at the prestigious Venice Film Festival earlier this month, eliciting a diverse array of reviews. The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw deemed it "equally as bold, arduous, and at times, wearingly protracted" as its predecessor, yet acknowledged it as an incremental "improvement." Joker, which swept two Oscars and grossed over $1 billion globally post its late 2019 release, debuted with a staggering $96 million. However, the sequel is facing an uphill battle, with experts forecasting an opening weekend of $70 million. Its Rotten Tomatoes score currently stands at 63%, a slight dip from the original's 69%.
Gaga's recent collaborations have been nothing short of triumphant, with her duet 'Die With A Smile' featuring Bruno Mars dominating the Billboard 200 for four consecutive weeks. She also graced the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, adding another feather to her illustrious cap. Joker: Folie à Deux marks Gaga's latest foray into the silver screen, following her memorable performances in A Star is Born and House of Gucci, and her television stints in American Horror Story.
