Feature | Enhancement - Discussion about displaying additional metadata and item details

[remon1496]

This is an issue for discussing design choices regarding displaying (more) metadata in the Music Assistant app.

For many people, metadata is a significant part of the music listening and discovery experience. This includes big, bold album art, artist biographies, album descriptions, release types, release years, album/track quality details, album and track durations, and more. Having access to this information improves and enhances the overall in-app experience.

The information for Artists, Albums (which includes albums, EPs, and compilations), and Tracks currently displayed within the app is somewhat sparse. We likely won't be able to fit everything from the web UI into the app (at least not at first glance), but we can discuss what we should show and where to show it. For inspiration, we can look at how different apps handle this and decide on the best approach and implementation.

We should also be aware that some people might not care about all—or any—of this. It shouldn't be too intrusive for those who aren't interested in these details.

Some apps that are praised for the way they show these details include:

• Roon / Roon ARC
• Plexamp
• Qobuz

[Blu3sClues]

I feel like we should keep around the level of data we have in the app. There is definitely room to grow in the future if we wanted, but currently I think we have the essential info to achieve the goals of this app. This is my personal opinion so take it with a grain of salt, but I see this app as a more of a music player versus a music platform such as the ones you mentioned.

[formatBCE]

I feel like we should keep around the level of data we have in the app. There is definitely room to grow in the future if we wanted, but currently I think we have the essential info to achieve the goals of this app. This is my personal opinion so take it with a grain of salt, but I see this app as a more of a music player versus a music platform such as the ones you mentioned.

We always can hide that into the spoiler. :)

[remon1496]

I’ve been contemplating this for a while now.

I believe we could add a simple (i) information icon on the left side of the three-dotted menu on the item detail page. This icon could display a lightbox (or any other suitable overlay, such as a next screen on the stack with a back button) that can be populated with information based on the type of item (e.g., artist description, album description, audiobook description, etc.).

For the release year, I think it would be a suitable idea to add it in the same spot where the release type is also displayed (e.g., under the title for a deluxe edition, the one in a smaller font). We can’t display the quality of an album in album views because it can vary depending on the source of the individual tracks in that album (can live on both Tidal and Local Disk for example).

Examples:
Album • 1982
Album • Deluxe Edition • 2014
Compilation • 2012
EP • 1992
Single • 2026
Album • Expanded Edition • 2026
Audiobook • 2026 (not sure if this one makes sense? Not sure about the 'industry standard' for audiobooks and podcast for that matter)

You get the idea.

I believe these would be good compromises. The information is available for those who appreciate it, but it’s not intrusive for those who don’t care.

I’m curious to know what others think about this.

[formatBCE]

I am hesitant.
We need to stop somewhere with features - otherwise we risk transforming the app into overcomplicated monster.
I feel like mobile client should be the tool for consumption, not a complete library metadata holder. It adds visual (and architectural) clutter and another bugs plane, while adding very little profit.
If I have album in library, I know that I want to listen it.
If I want to read about unfamiliar album - I will go to Google.
Quality doesn't really matter once I have it in the library - I already decided that it's good enough to listen. Audiophiles will cut bad quality on the pickup.

[remon1496]

Totally agree on cutting the quality info, on tracknames it would definitely get messy.

I do think the year and release type are still pretty vital for the details page, though. This is basic metadata for all music (I think), and are not overcomplicating.

Happy to shelf the artist- and albumdescriptions for now, but I'm betting users will start asking for them once the app picks up steam. Having access to it is part of the music listening ritual. Like in 'real' listening sessions, its the modern day equivilent of the back of a cd case or record cover. They are not needed ofcourse when slapping on some music for background listeing. We'll see though, totally understand your're hesitant.

Basic info in webui:

[Blu3sClues]

I feel like this app may not be a good fit for the use case you've described. I think it should provide enough info from known information such as name, album name, as well as visual queues such as album cover. It's more for music playback rather than music discovery.

[formatBCE]

Exactly. It's mobile app, it has more limitations than web. If you're trying to squeeze same information into smaller screen - it becomes unreadable. If you make it separate view - it becomes unfindable.
Mobile apps should be tools, that make "few things good" - not "all things mediocre".
There always be minority of users that want it all - but this will make the app overweight and overcomplicated for vast majority to use.

[remon1496]

Oh heck yeah, totally agree it’s about the playback!

Just also think that being able to see the year and release type while browsing your library is mandatory for even the most basic music app (you can even sort by year). But maybe I'm a special case then and most people really don't care.

On artist- and album descriptions. I agree these fit the 'discovery' use case more than the 'tool for playback' use case.

But I'm not going to impose my will, haha. I fully understand your viewpoints, and that is what discussions are for.

[seadowg]

I definitely agree with @remon1496 on wanting more information about releases in the app. For me, this supports an "armchair listening" use case that systems like Roon facilitate that I don't think the app is focused on right now and probably shouldn't until after a proper release - the current focus is nailing playback control and browsing. As both @formatBCE and @Blu3sClues have pointed out, I agree that extra information like description, release info, credits and lyrics etc. should stay off the current "item details" layout as it is now.

I'm going to create a specific milestone for these kinds of feature requests as I do think we'll want to add support this use case in the future, or work out a way it can be satisfied without adding to this codebase.