Lady Gaga brandishes a prosthetic arm

Lady Gaga brandishes a prosthetic arm as she teases fans with topless promo photo ahead of Artpop album release

She's no stranger to outlandish ensembles.

But Lady Gaga's took the definition of 'props' to the next level in her latest promo shot.

The singer stands topless with only her hair covering her bare chest - controversially brandishing a prosthetic arm.

Next level: Lady Gaga shared a bizarre new photo on Monday in the leadup to the release of her forthcoming album ARTPOP, in which she appears topless... holding a prosthetic arm

The 27-year-old shared the snap with her Twitter followers on Tuesday in the leadup to the release of her forthcoming album, ARTPOP.

In this latest tease, Gaga squats down wearing cropped black pants and throws the camera a rather grumpy looking gaze.

The Born This Way singer appears to be completely topless with only her lengthy brunette tresses covering her chest as she leans forward.

Her Tokyo Love tattoo surrounded by inked daisies is visible on her left shoulder and in truth, the sky-high bondage-inspired platform heels Gaga wears aren't exactly novel for her.

Just taking a seat: Lady Gaga posted another promo snap recently in which she sits - mostly naked - atop a chair made entirely from computer parts

It's the odd prosthetic arm that really stands out in this particular shot, as the singer cradles it in an optical illusion that makes it look like it's replacing her real arm.

The prosthetic is in fact wearing bracelets and black nail polish just like Gaga would herself as she clutches it at the elbow with her right hand.

Previously, the bold songstress has released other images promoting her upcoming album.

One is a futuristic shot featuring Gaga naked - but for boots and bizarre glasses - atop a chair made from computer parts, whilst another is simply her face smeared with paint.

A work of art? In another promo shot taken by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Lady Gaga's face is smeared with paint

Meanwhile, one of her new songs called either Burqa or Aura was leaked online on Monday - but subsequently removed.

The track is believed to be a demo of a track recorded during sessions for the singer's new ARTPOP album. 

It features the singer's distinctive voice, backed by an eastern-sounding stringed instrument, before a dance beat kicks in.

The song's lyrics make references to wearing a veil and a burqa - traditional dress for women in certain Islamic cultures, worn as an outer garment to cover their bodies and sometimes faces while in public - as well as the lines: 'Do you wanna see me naked, lover? / Do you wanna peak underneath the cover? / Do you wanna see the girl who lives behind the aura?'

Preparation time: Lady Gaga, pictured here in late July at the Watermill Center Summer Benefit in New York, has been busy getting ready for her album release

In a later verse the song seems to make another reference to the Middle East, when Gaga sings: 'I may not walk on your street / Or shoot a gun on your soil / I hear you screaming / Is it because of pleasure and toil?'

The bad quality of versions of the track on the internet suggest it is an unfinished version.

Aside from guest appearances, the song is the first taste of new material from Gaga since Marry The Night, released in 2011. 

The first official single from ARTPOP will be Applause, set for release on August 19.

The changing faces of Gaga: the songstress had her nose pierced and her eyebrows dyed bright blonde for this latest turn