Lady Gaga
Harlequin
Interscope
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Lady Gaga’s latest album Harlequin, billed by some as a soundtrack album, but confirmed by Gaga herself as a companion to the release of the movie Joker: Folie à Deux, is a continuation of sorts of her foray into Jazz and The Great American Songbook. Whilst previous albums with Tony Bennett (2014’s Cheek to Cheek & 2021’s Love For Sale) opened the door to an alternate musical space for the singer, Harlequin showcases Gaga’s understanding of the vastness of the musical universe, whilst paying homage through an album mostly comprised of covers, but still managing to put her mark on each song.
Harlequin is a bold and unconventional exploration of the human psyche, diving deep into the chaotic mind of a character (Harley Quinn, Gaga’s character in the movie) grappling with love, loss, and the intoxicating allure of madness. This is a musical manifestation of Harley Quinn's complex journey.
The opening track on the album “Good Morning,” a contemporary rendition of the 1939 Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney classic, establishes the scene with its brassy exuberance, jaunty piano, and driving double bass. Gaga's performance is undeniably commanding, as she navigates the song with a playful flourish.
An obvious choice of song for this album given its namesake, “The Joker,” a tune perhaps most indelibly linked to the Australian sitcom Kath & Kim, finds an unexpected resonance within the country-rock tapestry of Gaga's 2016 album Joanne. The song, a somewhat camp addition, culminates in a powerful vocal crescendo, culminating in the iconic line, "the Joker is MEEEE.”
Some standout moments on the album include the heartbreakingly beautiful rendition of “World On A String," a timeless classic previously reimagined by artists ranging from the iconic Bing Crosby to one of jazz music’s most important voices, Ella Fitzgerald. Gaga's interpretation is marked by a captivating lightness and grace, particularly during the poignant line, "can't you see I'm in love?" Perhaps a gentle nod to her fiancée Michael Polansky, who served as the executive producer of the album.
Listen to the Album:
Tackling a Judy Garland classic like "Get Happy" is no small undertaking and Gaga's rendition demonstrates a remarkable ease and a sense of joy that can only be described as exquisite. Her homage is a masterful tribute that avoids the pitfalls of cheap imitation. Covering such a wealth of classics inevitably presents challenges, none more so than reinterpreting the Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic "Close To You," immortalized by The Carpenters. Gaga's version is emotionally resonant, offering the album a solemn yet profoundly warm and welcomed moment of reflection. Her exquisite interpretation is a testament to her deep understanding of the musicality of this genre, something she undoubtedly possesses in bucketloads.
Harlequin, while maybe not a classic, is a delightful and beautifully crafted curiosity that will undoubtedly resonate with aficionados of impeccably executed jazz standards, enthusiasts of big band music, and those dedicated Gaga fans who felt a palpable decline in her musical fervor during the (what felt like) never ending creation of Chromatica (2020). On this album, she exudes a renewed vitality, radiating joy and a deep connection to her artistry as she effortlessly traverses the multifaceted moods of her character. Her voice is in exquisite form and easily handles many of the albums belters like “That’s Entertainment” and the album’s closer “That’s Life.”
One of the only two original tracks on the album, “Happy Mistake,” offers a poignant glimpse into the psyche of Quinn/Gaga, set against a backdrop of acoustic guitar and gentle electronic accents, coupled with Gaga’s soaring vocals. A powerful ballad, she candidly acknowledges the facade of her public persona, singing, "I can try to hide behind the makeup, but the show must go on." A crossover of the facade that undoubtedly plagues both the character and the artist.
Harlequin is a beautiful album and again allows Gaga to delve into and display her understanding of music at a holistic level, refusing to be confined to just one genre. One can’t but help thinking (hoping) that this album is the prelude to a potentially more captivating future endeavor, something much more Gaga, something much more original.
Notable Tracks: “Close To You” | “Get Happy” | “Happy Mistake”
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