Four singles supported the album, including the US Billboard Hot 100 top-five entry "Stupid Love", and "Rain on Me" with Grande, which marked Gaga's fifth number one song on the chart.

She first arranged previews at Dive Bar and then her global Joanne World Tour,[10] but scheduling conflicts, coupled with production constraints, halted the singer's pursuits.

[16] Interscope also recruited Swedish House Mafia's Axwell, Skrillex, Artpop collaborator Madeon, Tchami, Boys Noize and Benjamin Rice for their services.

They spent about two weeks creating the interludes, first researching source material the producers felt embodied the spectacle they envisioned for the album, before recording with a 26-person orchestra.

[30] Chromatica's cover, released to the press in early April 2020, features Gaga costumed in hot pink hair, a studded-and-spiked metallic bodysuit, embellished platform boots, welded claws, and a spiked bionic sleeve on her left arm.

[27] The treatment of the cover, and the artwork's cyberpunk sensibility, prompted journalist comparisons to science fiction media such as Mad Max, Mortal Kombat, and the Alien franchise.

[40] Gaga and the producers' devotion to said vision led their total immersion in the music culture, influencing both their choice of technology and studio technique to ensure fidelity.

[13] And in doing so, AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine argues, the artist exploits her veteran popstar sensibility, making little attempt to engineer a modern sound.

"[17] Yet the songwriting's often dark introspection of the subject matter juxtaposes the album's upbeat, diverse musical style, manifesting Gaga's personal views of themes inspired by failed romance and mental health struggles in her private life.

[17] Although the singer declared Joanne her most personal record, some reviewers, such as Pitchfork's Katherine St. Asaph argued Chromatica's treatment of the subject matter provides a more intimate listening experience.

[15] The opening orchestral interlude, "Chromatica I", exhibits the tone of impending doom into the electronica-inspired "Alice",[15][46] alluding to Lewis Carroll's similarly titled 1865 fantasy novel to portray the subject of one's yearning to belong.

[63] On "Plastic Doll", with its "punchy and scintillating" sound of synthetic drum snaps and swooping falsetto,[59][64][65] Gaga uses a Barbie metaphor to convey the objectification of women.

[44] Reminiscent of Gaga's more contemporary work on Artpop,[49] "Enigma" speaks of one's desire for companionship,[44] underpinned by a "funky" backdrop of "woozy" horn loops, swirling strings, and vocal flexing.

[63][71][72] "Replay", featuring a sample of "It's My House" (1979) by Diana Ross,[16] is a French house-flavored track replete with ghost-like vocals,[39][73] whose lyrics see Gaga confronting her diminished self-esteem.

[51][64] Chromatica's closing track, the hi-NRG-inspired "Babylon",[78] was noted for its playful non sequiturs, key change, and diverse vocal approaches, mirroring the hallmarks of Grace Jones, The B-52's, and Madonna's "Vogue" (1990).

[61] Expressing Gaga's dismissal of the tabloids, the retro sound of "Babylon" is marked by a melding of thick piano lines, flamboyant saxophones and half-spoken choruses.

[81] Gaga revealed the album's name and an April 10 release date to the media on March 2, 2020, and Interscope Records launched pre-ordering services simultaneously with the announcement.

And working with the World Health Organization and Global Citizen [on the televised benefit concert, Together at Home] was a way for me to talk about kindness, and the things that I believe in, in a very focused way, as opposed to a more abstract way, which for me, is what Chromatica is.

[92] French company IICONI issued a vinyl-sized frame of the album cover art with digital access to the deluxe edition of Chromatica via their mobile app, which also involves a selection of video and photo content.

It features the song "Hold My Hand" from the soundtrack of Top Gun: Maverick as a bonus track on the CD, along with the same DVD as in the earlier Japanese box set, and with a booklet and tour poster also included in the package.

[98] Bobby Campbell, Gaga's manager, stated that he spent about 18 months putting together a promotional campaign that Interscope Records chairman/CEO John Janick called "one of the best rollouts planned for an album ever".

[99] In May 2020, Gaga released an eyeshadow palette named after "Stupid Love" through her beauty line, Haus Laboratories, along with a lip sync video featuring the singer and influencers from the world of makeup.

[103] The singer then organized two Adobe-sponsored online challenges with $10,000 winning cash grand prizes, where participants had to design Chromatica-themed artwork with Adobe creative apps.

[107] On August 30, 2020, Gaga performed a four-song medley ("Chromatica II", "911", "Rain on Me", and "Stupid Love") at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, her first VMA appearance in seven years.

[110] In September 2020, Gaga spearheaded a video campaign for Valentino's Voce Viva fragrance line, singing a stripped-down version of "Sine from Above" with a group of models.

[112] In April 2021, Gaga teamed up with Champagne brand Dom Pérignon, and appeared in an ad shot by Nick Knight, which included excerpts from "Free Woman".

[114] In December 2021, a 10-track Lady Gaga Music Pack became available in virtual reality rhythm game Beat Saber, which includes "Stupid Love" and "Rain on Me", and features a futuristic cyberpunk environment inspired by Chromatica.

[44][149] One particular aspect of Chromatica that impressed reviewers was the handling of the themes,[39][60][150] described as "deeply personal",[44] "refreshingly direct",[26] and work indicative of the idea that "integrity and high octane pop songs can [...] still inhabit the same space".

[46][58][77] Los Angeles Times's Mikael Wood thought the sound's retro quality enhanced the mood of certain songs,[37] and Entertainment Weekly stated Chromatica transcends the period with "an audacious, glitter-dusted promise of escape from the sad, the bad, and the ordinary".

[198][199][200] Featured artists on the record include Arca, Rina Sawayama, Pabllo Vittar, Charli XCX, Ashnikko, Shygirl, Dorian Electra, and Bree Runway.