“Harlequin” is a companion album for the film, in which Gaga stars as Lee, also better known as the unhinged villain Harley Quinn. Her character served as the driving force behind the album, which seamlessly blends jazz, funk, blues and early American music while drawing from vintage and modern pop.

Lady Gaga shook up expectations this week by announcing a Joker: Folie à Deux companion album, Harlequin, just days ahead of its Friday (Sept. 27) release, confirming that it's an entirely separate project from her highly anticipated seventh studio LP arriving in February.