Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars are teaming up for a surprise release, dropping their brand-new song “Die With a Smile” tonight, Thursday, August 15, at midnight ET / 9 p.m. PT. Gaga made the official announcement via social media earlier today, putting an end to the circulating rumors about the collaboration.

While details about the song remain sparse, the promotional artwork hints at a country-inspired vibe, with both artists dressed in western-style attire. If true, this new direction would follow a recent trend of pop stars exploring country music, a path recently tread by the likes of Beyoncé and Post Malone.

Speculation suggests that the song might have involvement from Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt, known for his versatility across genres. Watt has made significant contributions to rock music, having worked with legends like the Rolling Stones on their recent Hackney Diamonds album, as well as with Elton John and Ozzy Osbourne. Watt also teased the new Gaga and Mars collaboration on his social media, adding more weight to the rumors of his participation.

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This release marks a major return for both Gaga and Mars. For Bruno Mars, this is his first solo headlining music since the critically acclaimed Silk Sonic project with Anderson .Paak two years ago. Lady Gaga’s last major release was her 2020 album *Chromatica*, although she made waves with a powerful feature on the Rolling Stones’ “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” from Hackney Diamonds last year.

Gaga is also gearing up for her role in the highly anticipated Joker: Folie À Deux, a musical sequel to the 2019 hit film Joker. In the film, Gaga stars as Lee, a fresh take on the iconic character Harley Quinn, opposite Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker. The film, which blends music with dialogue in a unique way, is unlike anything Gaga has done before. “People know me as Lady Gaga, but that’s not what this movie is,” she recently said in an interview with

Empire. She explained how her singing in the film was crafted to emerge naturally from her character rather than her usual performer persona.

Although the new song with Bruno Mars has no direct connection to Joker: Folie À Deux, the title “Die With a Smile” seems thematically aligned with the dark and complex world of the Joker. Fans of both artists are eagerly awaiting the release, ready to see how their combined talents bring this project to life.