Walking on Thin Ice cover

Walking on Thin Ice

Yoko Ono · 1992

71 min · 19 tracks · alternative rock

A kaleidoscope of eclectic sounds blending electronic beats with avant-garde pop sensibilities and Ono's distinctive vocal style.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Walking on Thin Ice Start here — This track stands out as both a dance anthem and a poignant reflection on loss, encapsulating Ono's unique ability to blend personal narrative with infectious rhythms.
  • →
    Kiss, Kiss, Kiss — With its playful yet provocative lyrics and catchy melody, this song exemplifies Ono's knack for merging experimental soundscapes with mainstream appeal.
  • →
    Death of Samantha (Remix) — This remix showcases Ono's experimental side while maintaining an accessible groove, highlighting her versatility as an artist within the evolving landscape of '90s music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends avant-garde pop with electronic beats, showcasing Ono's unique style but suffers from uneven cohesion.

What we noticed

  • The title track features a driving electronic beat paired with Ono's layered, breathy vocals, creating a tension between rhythm and melody.
  • Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, often eschewing traditional verse-chorus formats in favor of more experimental arrangements.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing with intensity
  • bold sonic exploration moments
  • emotional depth in every track
  • dynamic flow for active listening
  • experimental twists on familiar themes

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer straightforward song structures
  • seek immediate gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Features a club hit that expanded Ono's recognition in the early '90s dance music scene.
Themes
dance floor mourning· post-Lennon reflection· avant-garde experimentation
Moods
Dark· Intense
Career context
By the time 'Walking on Thin Ice' was released in March 1992, Yoko Ono had already established herself as a pioneering figure in avant-garde music and art. This album followed her long-standing experimentation with sound and was notable for its incorporation of dance elements, marking a significant evolution from her earlier works. It was also her first release after the passing of John Lennon, contributing to its emotional depth.
Stylistic neighbors
Laurie Anderson· Stereolab· Animal Collective

Tracklist

  • 1 Walking on Thin Ice Start here 6:00
  • 2 Even When You’re Far Away (Edit) 4:12
  • 3 Kiss, Kiss, Kiss 2:40
  • 4 Nobody Sees Me Like You Do 3:33
  • 5 Yang Yang (Remix) 3:48
  • 6 No, No, No (Edit) 2:41
  • 7 Death of Samantha (Remix) 5:05
  • 8 Mindweaver (Edit) 3:26
  • 9 You’re the One (Extended version) 4:26
  • 10 Spec of Dust 3:32
  • 11 Midsummer New York (Edit) 2:15
  • 12 Don’t Be Scared (Extended version) 3:51
  • 13 Sleepless Night (Extended version) 3:52
  • 14 Kite Song (Remix) 2:48
  • 15 She Gets Down on Her Knees 4:10
  • 16 Give Me Something 1:33
  • 17 Hell in Paradise (Remix) 3:38
  • 18 Woman Power (Remix) 5:36
  • 19 O’Oh 4:01

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata