Applause was distributed to YouTube and iTunes on Monday after snippets of the track appeared online over the weekend.

The track is the first new material from the singer since 2011 and was originally due for release on August 19.

Gaga is one of a number of artists who have seen their material leaked online in the past year. The other latest victim being Katy Perry who also saw her new track, Roar surface over the weekend.

Gaga will perform Applause for the first time at the MTV Video Music Awards on August 25.

The new track will feature on her forthcoming album, ARTPOP, which will arrive in November.