Little Monsters are currently being fed. Not only does Lady Gaga have a starring role in the upcoming Joker: Folie à Deux, in which she plays Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, but she has also just released a concept album in honor of the film. Titled Harlequin, the surprise record, made up of songs featured in the movie, was produced entirely by Gaga and her fiancé, Michael Polansky.
So, to celebrate the new release, who better than a serious Gaga stan (moi) to react to the album in real time? Below, my 15 takeaways from Harlequin.
1. Before we dive in, it’s worth setting up Gaga’s role in Joker a little bit. She plays Lee Quinzel, a deranged fan of the Joker’s who falls in love with him. A press release has described the movie as an “exploration of the raw, emotional complexity of a woman who thrives in chaos, a genre-defying force who cannot be contained.” I am predicting that the music will delve into this twisted love story—the tale of two lonely souls uniting. But who knows!
2. The first track is “Good Morning,” a cover of the Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed song written for the 1939 Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney film Babes in Arms, but popularized by Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds in 1952’s Singin’ in the Rain. I’m greeted by a smooth jazz piano sound. I think we’re getting jazz Gaga on this record, a sound she explored on her albums Cheek to Cheek and Love For Sale with Tony Bennett.
3. She sounds great. Like, really great. She’s switched up some of the lyrics to the song. “When the inmates began to sleep, the stars were shining bright,” she sings. “Now the warden’s on his way, it’s too late to say goodnight.” In the film, she and the Joker meet as inmates at Arkham Asylum; this must be what plays during their meet-cute!
4. Next up is “Get Happy,” another Garland classic, this one from Summer Stock. Interesting—is the whole album covers?
5. “All you sinners, gather ’round,” she croons. “All you sinners—follow me. Forget your troubles, come on, get happy; get ready for the judgment day.” I can definitely see her singing this to some of her glam asylum friends. But the song is very swingin’—the type of song you’d want to hear in a luxe ballroom while dancing with a man in a tux.
