By Alena Bitonti
Arts & Entertainment Editor
“It’s great to stay up late,” as the famous lyric from “Good Morning” goes.
And that it was, for the midnight release of Lady Gaga’s newest album “Harlequin” on Sept. 27.
Last week, the singer announced a surprise companion album to the “Joker: Folie à Deux” soundtrack. Inspired by her portrayal of Harley Quinn in the upcoming film sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” “Harlequin” covers Broadway and jazz classics and debuts two original songs.
The roll-out for the album was quick, with teasers on Instagram starting last week being the only glimpse into what was in store. The sound of the 41-minute, 13-song record is reminiscent of Gaga’s two albums of jazz standards, “Cheek to Cheek” and “Love for Sale” alongside Tony Bennett, and differs heavily from her last album, the 2020 dance-pop hit “Chromatica.”
Although it showcases her signature style and bold creative choices, “Harlequin” is not to be confused with the singer’s upcoming studio album, the seventh in her discography.
“It’s a Lady Gaga record, but it’s also inspired by my character and my vision of what a woman can be,” she told Rolling Stone. “I called it ‘6.5’ because it’s not my next studio album that’s a pop record, but it is somewhere in between, and it’s blurring the lines of pop music.”
The album opens with a lively rendition of “Good Morning” from the musical “Singin’ in the Rain,” delivering a burst of energy that gets the listener’s attention for the rest of the record. As a former theater kid, I found this the perfect homage to the classic tune — almost enough to set it as my new morning alarm.
In “Get Happy (2024),” Gaga honors the original version by Judy Garland while adding her own, unique vocals and effortless riffs. “Oh, When The Saints” keeps her soulful vocals throughout several key changes, with a guitar solo and orchestral finale to close out the track.
My first time hearing “World On A String,” I immediately recognized the guitar instrumental from one of the snippets Gaga shared on Instagram before the album release. This song stood out to me as a more eerie, Harley Quinn-esque track when compared to the first three.
“If My Friends Could See Me Now” begins as an emotional ballad, with the band shifting the energy around the 50-second mark. Gaga’s growls and scatting on this songbook classic make you appreciate her abilities as a vocalist.
“That’s Entertainment” is a treat for the true fans, especially those who remember last year’s viral video of Gaga on the set of “Joker: Folie à Deux,” singing this song as Harley Quinn on the iconic “Joker stairs.” And just as the next track, “Smile,” comes on, my excitement for the film’s release hits even harder.
The album takes a turn with “The Joker.” If there is any song that captures the essence of Harley Quinn and rounds out the companion album, it is the reimagined deep-cut from the 1964 musical “The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd.” Not only is it the only rock song on the album, it is my personal favorite. A part of me wishes the rest of the tracks carried the same rebellious, raw energy, but I appreciate how it stands out among the jazz and Broadway-inspired tracks, as well as the two originals.
The first of the two original tracks, “Folie à Deux,” is introduced as a catchy waltz. It features a choir in the song’s final verse, delivering an unsettling but powerful ending. “Gonna Build A Mountain” follows, a tune I felt resembled the earlier “If My Friends Could See Me Now.”
Another favorite on the album for me is “Close to You,” a stunning cover of the song popularized by The Carpenters in 1970. Gaga’s rendition keeps the timeless spirit of the original while adding her own emotional depth. I couldn’t help but connect the previously mentioned Instagram teaser, reading “MOONDUST GETS EVERYWHERE” – likely a direct reference to the iconic chorus: “So, they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold / And starlight in your eyes of blue.”
The second original, “Happy Mistake,” is easily the most vulnerable song on the album. In this emotional reflection, Gaga portrays Harley Quinn while recounting her own struggles with the pressures of performance and fame.
“BloodPop and I had written this together and then I kind of took it to the next place," she told Apple Music. “It was all in the image of the character, but also kind of at the very core of her soul, which is really just me.”
To close out the album, Gaga belts a cover of “That’s Life,” popularized by Frank Sinatra. Her rendition is largely unchanged from Sinatra’s version, yet effectively brings her own style to the classic.
While “Harlequin” isn’t the pop album fans might expect from Gaga, it showcases her versatility and deep artistic creativity. It’s the perfect embodiment of her character Harley Quinn, who Gaga has come to understand better than anyone.
Gaga will make her onscreen debut as the character in the highly anticipated sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux” in theaters starting Oct. 4. Fans can also expect the first single release for her seventh studio album during the same month, with the record coming out in its entirety next February.
