ON THE COVER: LADY GAGA & BRUNO MARS

“Die With a Smile,” the first duet by the superstars pictured here, has been an out-of-the-box smash on DSPs, setting the table nicely for Interscope giant Gaga’s latest chapter, which includes the new Joker movie (in which she co-stars) and album Harlequin, which finds her assaying songbook standards with typical aplomb. She’s of course accompanied here by Atlantic’s brilliant Bruno, who brings magic to every collaboration. Though nothing makes it harder for these two to hold a “Smile” than dealing with us.