The Little Monsters are presently being nourished. Not only is Lady Gaga assuming a main role in the forthcoming Joker: Folie à Deux, where she portrays Harley Quinn alongside Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, but she has also recently unveiled a concept album dedicated to the film. Named Harlequin, this unexpected album, consisting of tracks included in the film, was entirely produced by Gaga and her fiancé, Michael Polansky.

Therefore, to mark the new release, could there be anyone more suitable than a devoted Gaga enthusiast (moi) to react to the album live? Below, you’ll find my 15 reflections on Harlequin.

1. Before diving in, a brief introduction to Gaga’s character in Joker is worthwhile. She portrays Lee Quinzel, an obsessive aficionado of the Joker who becomes infatuated with him. A press announcement has labeled the film as an “exploration of the raw, emotional complexity of a woman who thrives in chaos, a genre-defying force who cannot be contained.” I anticipate the soundtrack will explore this twisted romance—the narrative of two solitary souls coming together. But who can say for certain!

For the dedicated followers of BTS, June 2025—when all seven members of the celebrated Korean boy group will at last come together once more after fulfilling their military commitments—cannot arrive soon enough. However, with “I’ll Be There,” a fresh track from Jin, who fulfilled his service earlier this summer, the fanbase has additional reasons to rejoice.

Similar to ex-boy-bander Harry Styles before him, Jin seems to be transitioning from pop towards a rockier sound. As a child of the ’90s, it is unsurprising that he holds a fondness for the style: a playlist of his top tracks on Spotify features “Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls (alongside picks from The Fray and Styles himself); and before his enlistment in 2022, he unveiled his initial single, “The Astronaut,” co-created with one of his musical inspirations, Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

Two years later, Jin’s newest release—shared before his first solo record, Happy, available on November 15—extends that direction. If with “The Astronaut,” he crafted a heartfelt note to his followers (whom he called his “universe”), in “I’ll Be There,” Jin amplifies his dedication.

As the artist reveals exclusively to Vogue, “I’m thrilled to be back and I wish my fans adore this song as much as I do.” It’s likely they will: Although the track’s writing is largely performed in Korean, Jin’s sentiments are easily felt, particularly when he asserts, in an infectious chorus: “I swear I will always sing for you. Sing for you, I’ll be there for you.” The song’s final message remains equally heartfelt, with the singer imploring in Korean that should his fans ever feel downcast or solitary and need support, he will “always be there.” The ending, meanwhile, invokes the catchy rhythmic handclapping of Anna Kendrick’s 2013 hit “Cups” from Pitch Perfect.

The accompanying visual showcases Jin performing with his band in a parking area, envisioning the BTS icon as a modest, rising musician. In truth, though, he has already reached stellar heights.

Despite having just unveiled her debut track last month, Indigenous vocalist Tia Wood has consistently attracted followers since the start of 2020. At 25, she initially gathered a fan base on TikTok, where she frequently promotes her Cree and Salish lineage through melodies on the platform (she boasts over two million followers). Now, she is prepared to introduce her distinct musical style to the mainstream industry with the launch of two fresh tunes: “Dirt Roads” and “Losing Game”—her initial releases since formally signing with Sony Music the previous year. “It’s been a huge relief to finally share a part of my soul with the world after keeping everyone waiting for so long,” Wood expresses to Vogue. “I’m extremely grateful for all the affection and encouragement we’ve been receiving on these initial two songs. Little Tia still finds it unbelievable!”

Coming from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada, Wood seemed destined for a musical career. During her upbringing, she often traveled the powwow circuits, performing and dancing with her relatives—some of whom are part of the Grammy Award–winning ensemble Northern Cree. After showcasing her vocal talents on TikTok, she swiftly caught the eye of Sony Music, becoming among the first Indigenous females to join the record label. “It was incredibly surreal,” Wood shares. “I still sometimes struggle to fully comprehend it. Growing up without representation made dreaming dreams like this seem unattainable, and being one of the initial Indigenous women signed with my label is something I could’ve only envisioned as a child.”