[throwaway220033]

I can't stand Spotify's redesign anymore. Looking for an improved Winamp-like app with very simple interface and playlists. What should I try?

Apple Music is a joke as well. I can't even play some of my custom audio files (they're not music, custom sounds) because Apple thinks they are not allowed to play in my country. I can't play my own audio files because of some buggy software Apple doesn't care about maintaining anymore.

[HeckFeck]

Indeed. I've felt alienated since they launched the Electron redesign. The old client was both gorgeous and intuitive, as well as easy on system resources.

See for yourself: https://twitter.com/awesomekling/status/1634601462645882880

When I used Spotify I tried to hold onto the old client for as long as possible, going as far as locking down the Spotify update directory in %APPDATA% to null the autoupdater...

[apocalyptic0n3]

If you're interested in owning your own music and hosting it yourself, you could spin up a Plex server and use Plexamp. Plexamp is probably the best music experience I've come across in the last 20 years. I just buy music from Bandcamp, HD Tracks, and Amazon when those don't have what I'm after.

[modernerd]

I use Doppler on Mac/iOS:

https://brushedtype.co/doppler/

It's not perfect (adding and syncing music from Bandcamp could be smoother; it requires their Doppler Sync app to sync over Wi-Fi/AirDrop instead of syncing via cloud storage, which would be my preference).

But the UX is decent, it supports playlists, and it just works offline. If you can see your music you can play it which — oddly — has not been my experience with apps for streaming services that are supposed to let you download playlists for use offline.

[Kiro]

I don't find Spotify that much different from Winamp. Everyone says they hate the interface but apart from the suggestions or the front page (which I don't use), what are the problems exactly? I have playlists with songs that I can double click to play. What more is there to it?

[itsoktocry]

>I don't find Spotify that much different from Winamp

Say what? Have you ever used Winamp?

[Kiro]

Yes, but it was at least 20 years ago so please remind me.

[UweSchmidt]

Winamp is a lightweight program that runs on your personal computer, loading files or folders of mp3s and other audio files that you own/control. The UI is pleasant, stable, customizable, responsive. Nothing will trigger the user's attention, no recommendations, UI changes or updates. No attempt to sell or monetize anything. No surveillance or tracking.

[pton_xd]

No login, no profile, no account management. Some light-hearted humor. Man, those were the days.

[vel0city]

Default library view has a search box at the top and three main panes. Two on top, one on bottom. Top left is a list of all the artists in your library. Top right is a list of all the albums. Bottom is a list of all tracks that match the existing filters. Click on an artist, and it filters the albums and tracks, Click on an album, and it filters the tracks. Very information dense, extremely fast search, very responsive UI.

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RZcn2kEEAjWWV2jXYuJNUc.png

Compared to Spotify, where when I open it it defaults to a list of six playlists, a bunch of big fat tiles of podcasts I've never once listened to, a "Made for vel0city" horizontal scroll of auto-playlists, on and on. Extremely low density view, which is fine for a mobile device prioritizing touch but I'd like a denser view for desktop usage.

[cageface]

I'm working on a new cross platform desktop music app with a clean modern interface. It should be ready for beta testing soon. Message me if you're interested in trying it.

[uncharted9]

I can't find your email address in your bio, and I don't know if you can message on HN. Can you update your bio.

[cageface]

Sorry about that. I’ve added it.

[bj-rn]

Maybe check out www.foobar2000.org.

[weberer]

VLC is great for that. Just hit Ctrl+L to open the playlist view.

[RedShift1]

Winamp still works.

[throwaway220033]

The new Winamp has nothing to do with the spirit of the Winamp we loved and used.

[RedShift1]

Use the old one? I still do...

[yashasolutions]

there is still QMMP