4/5
A Harlequin Is Born
She just couldn't let her go, like the love between Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel and Arthur Fleck. Hot off the heels of her 'Die With A Smile' duet with fellow pop powerhouse Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga may have just announced her 'Chromatica' follow-up 'LG7', coming in February like Valentine lovers, but this week, she has another trick up her sleeve. 'Harlequin', her surprise soundtrack companion album to underscore her forthcoming film sequel 'Joker: Folie à deux' with the Oscar winning card of Joaquin Phoenix's Joker. Not to mention the actual scoring soundtrack itself for this musical from the 'Sin City: A Dame To Kill For' and 'House Of Gucci' actress. The Academy award-winning 'A Star Is Born' actress and singer, reborn and far from the shallow. Now showing she really is the soundtrack darling after her maverick 'Top Gun' performance.
Holding the hand of the clown prince of crime after 'Barbie' herself, Margot Robbie, Lady Gaga is set to make her own iconic interpretation of Harley Quinn, like Heath Ledger and Jack Nicholson (et al) before the joke was on Joaquin. Stefani Germanotta gets real personal on this Interscope album inspired by her latest movie muse. All for the 'Joanne' singer's boldest album yet that sounds like her work with the late, great Tony Bennett (the double decadence of 'Cheek To Cheek' and 'Love For Sale'), all whilst striking the fine line between Prince's own 1989 'Batman' soundtrack and Jay-Z's 'American Gangster' influenced record. Art pop at its Warhol finest for this American Horror Story on a milk carton, the album artwork sees the red running out of this Harlequin's hair, as she showers in her clothes, jacketed by a life preserver. Floating through the notions of going Gaga through the bad romance with the man who thinks he holds all the cards, the fantabulous Harley Quinzel's eyeliner is running. Circling the drain before she finds her emancipation.
If the movie is going to be anything like the music, then 'Folie à deux' deserves an ovation that stands. Like the test of time of these two animated characters and the series of stories they've been in. The brooding Batman may have just received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but there is nothing that shines stronger, albeit darker instead of brighter, than this imperfect pair's crazy, stupid love. You can feel it on the jazzy standards of the classics from the great American songbook, and the two outstanding original pieces that Gaga made thanks to the film. But just like the beautiful work she did with Bennett, the Grammy and Oscar winning star who only needs a Tony, makes all of this music her own. And not just an ode to Mr. J like the incredible 'The Joker'. Although bringing a 'Smile' back to that face like the iconic prison plexiglass moment over the phone is a master move like that standard originally being used in the first film's teaser trailer.
Putting a Joker grin on that Mona Lisa smile for a collaboration with The Louvre Museum in Paris, France for this record's promotion, this is an actual album from Gaga, no stop gap between the movie and the forthcoming seventh seal set to take 'The Fame Monster' back to her 'Poker Face' roots. Now, with one of her greatest deals that nods to her 'Cheek To Cheek' with the late, and one of the last remaining great American songbook singers and even a wink to her 'A Star Is Born' showcase, Gaga gives us it all. From 'Good Morning' and a 2024 version of 'Get Happy' ("c'mon!"), to the 'That's Life' closer that you can't deny. Bang, bang, even if you're shot down in May after dancing with the devil, in the pale moonlight. 'Folie à deux' is in for a treat, like 'Oh, When The Saints', or 'If My Friends Could See Me Now'. Let alone the 'Happy Mistake' of her own writing with the 'World On A String' like Sinatra. Building a mountain to get close to you (or him) like those birds that suddenly appear (just like he). "I'm acting in this play of/Comedy with tragic words/The audience was smilin'/Cheerin' on a scene absurd." Now, to those worrying about this movie being a musical, why so serious? TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'Smile', 'The Joker', 'Happy Mistake'.
Spin This: Prince - 'Batman'
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