Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars are set to release a brand new track, "Die With a Smile", at midnight Eastern Time (9 p.m. Pacific Time) on Thursday, August 15th. The pop icons announced the collaboration on social media, alongside a striking piece of artwork that hints at a country-inspired sound.
If the visual aesthetic is any indication, the collaboration marks the latest addition to a growing trend of pop stars venturing into the world of country music. This year alone, Beyonce and Post Malone have both explored country influences in their respective releases.
Further speculation suggests involvement from the acclaimed songwriter-producer, Andrew Watt. Watt, known for his work with artists across genres including the Rolling Stones, Elton John, and Ozzy Osbourne, posted about the Gaga and Mars collaboration on his own social media channels, fueling rumours of his involvement.
"Die With a Smile" marks a significant return to the music scene for both artists. Mars' last solo release was his Grammy-winning "Silk Sonic" project with Anderson .Paak in 2021, while Gaga's most recent solo album, "Chromatica," arrived in 2020. The only other musical outing for Gaga in recent years was a memorable appearance on the Rolling Stones' "Sweet Sounds of Heaven" from their 2023 album "Hackney Diamonds."
Gaga's focus has shifted somewhat as she prepares for the release of the highly anticipated comic book musical, "Joker: Folie à Deux." She will star opposite Joaquin Phoenix as Lee, a reimagined version of the iconic Harley Quinn. Gaga has spoken extensively about the unique approach to music in the film, aiming to seamlessly integrate song into the dialogue rather than relying on traditional musical numbers.
While the new track with Mars seems unrelated to the film, it is widely anticipated to be the lead single from a forthcoming Gaga album. However, official confirmation is yet to be released.
With the release of "Die With a Smile", the world eagerly awaits to hear how Gaga and Mars will blend their signature styles, adding to the already diverse landscape of contemporary music. The track is set to be a major moment in the music calendar, promising a fresh and unexpected sound from two of the biggest names in pop.
