What is the best Yoko Ono album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Season of Glass" (1981). It's the most representative of what makes Yoko Ono worth hearing.

What are the best Yoko Ono albums?

The essential Yoko Ono albums include "Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band" (1970), "Feeling the Space" (1973), "Season of Glass" (1981), "No, No, No" (1981) and "Walking on Thin Ice" (1981).

How many albums does Yoko Ono have?

Yoko Ono has 48 releases in their discography, including 17 albums and 3 EPs.

Photo: Marcela Cataldi Cipolla · CC BY 3.0

Yoko Ono

Q: Who is Yoko Ono for?

If you're into alternative rock and new wave, Yoko Ono is worth your time. Ono’s music dances between chaotic bursts of noise and contemplative silences, creating tension that propels the listener through unexpected emotional landscapes.

Ono’s music dances between chaotic bursts of noise and contemplative silences, creating tension that propels the listener through unexpected emotional landscapes.

Shibuya-kei · alternative rock · electronica · new wave

United States

Read about Yoko Ono on Bookshop

Start here

The album

Season of Glass (1981)

Represents Ono's blend of noise and contemplation, creating a cohesive experience that introduces her unique sound.

The song

“Walking on Thin Ice”

Engaging track with an immediate hook that showcases Ono's style and emotional depth, making it a strong standalone introduction.

See the full guide

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"Goodbye Sadness" — from Season of Glass (1981)

establishes the sonic palette early
2

"Wouldnit (DTM Main Mix)" — from Onomix (2012)

accessible entry with immediate hook
3

"I’m Stepping Out" — from Milk and Honey (1984)

accessible entry with immediate hook
4

"Walking on Thin Ice" — from Walking on Thin Ice (1992)

establishes the sonic palette early
5

"A Story" — from A Story (1997)

establishes the sonic palette early
6

"Walking on Thin Ice" — from Yes, I'm A Witch Too (2016)

establishes the sonic palette early

About Yoko Ono

Yoko Ono matters as a transformative force in art and music, challenging societal norms and pushing listeners to reconsider the boundaries of expression.

Her work invites introspection and dialogue, creating spaces where personal and political intersect.

Her work invites introspection and dialogue, creating spaces where personal and political intersect. By merging avant-garde sensibilities with popular music, she has paved the way for future generations of artists to embrace their individuality without compromise. Ono's innovative approach combines sound experimentation with deeply personal narratives, often blurring the lines between performance art and music. She harnesses a raw, unfiltered energy that disrupts conventional listening habits, encouraging audiences to engage with her art on an emotional level rather than strictly intellectual terms. This ethos fosters a sense of connection among her listeners, prompting them to explore new ways of experiencing sound and message. In her songwriting, Ono frequently delves into themes of love, peace, and identity while embracing a voice that is both confrontational and vulnerable. Her lyrical style oscillates between stark sincerity and playful irony, crafting a unique tapestry of storytelling that invites reflection rather than offers easy answers. With a penchant for evocative imagery, she captures fleeting moments that resonate deeply within the listener’s psyche.

17 studio albums· 48 total releases· 5 decades· United States