Lady GaGa has released the artwork for her comeback single 'Applause,' - the first track from her forthcoming third studio album ARTPOP, set to hit stores on November 11, 2013. Shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinnodh Matadin, the colourful photograph shows Mother Monster wearing rainbow makeup smeared across her face.

Lady Gaga ApplauseThe Artwork for Lady Gaga's 'Applause'

Gaga wrote the single with DJ White Shadow, her collaborator of some 5 years now. Speaking recently to Women's Wear Daily, the singer revealed that her new music is "is very fun. And that it's full of happiness, because what I'm saying in the song essentially is that I live for the applause.

"I live for the way you cheer and scream for me. Give me that thing that I love. Put your hands up, make them touch," she said.

After hip surgery and a leave of absence from the entertainment world, Gaga will officially make her return on August 25, 2013, when she performs 'Applause' at the MTV VMAs. The singer has won 13 VMA awards, performing as her male alter ago in 2011.

Lady Gaga also announced that fans can now pre-order her new album on August 19, rather than on September 1, which was originally announced.

She wrote: "Due to public anticipation ITUNES will now offer preorder for ARTPOP album/app AUG 19 the same day you can purchase my new single 'Applause'."

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