Lady Gaga's Harlequin is the companion album to the film Joker: Folie à Deux, in which she stars as Harley Quinn. The album blends jazz standards, show tunes, and original songs inspired by her character, showcasing Gaga's versatility and theatrical flair.

Cultural impact

• Lady Gaga has discussed how embodying Harley Quinn for Joker: Folie à Deux deeply influenced the creative direction and musical experimentation of Harlequin, emphasizing themes of dual identity and artistic freedom.

• The album has been highlighted in major media coverage as a unique crossover between film and music, reinforcing Gaga's reputation for ambitious multimedia projects.

Critical response

• Billboard wrote, "Throughout each of the album’s 13 tracks, the singer carefully shapes each song to fit the chaotic musical world of Joker: Folie à Deux. Spanning genres and styles, Gaga manages to turn even some of the most beloved pop classics in American culture into fresh reincarnations." Read full review

• The Guardian described Harlequin as "a curio rather than a classic," noting it "will please fans of immaculately covered jazz standards, the big band apologists and Gaga fans who felt as if she had lost some of her enthusiasm for music during Chromatica’s protracted gestation. Here, she sounds fully engaged, happy, and completely in her element as she skips between Harley Quinn’s various moods." Read full review