Spotify Desktop Update This Year

Spotify Desktop Update This Year: What I Loved, What Drove Me Nuts, and Why It Matters for Daily Users Like Us

Alright, let’s talk about Spotify’s desktop update this year — because if you’re like me, you probably spend a decent chunk of your day with Spotify humming in the background. Whether I’m working, writing, or just vibing, Spotify is kinda like my digital roommate. So when the desktop version gets an update? Oh, you feel it.

And not always in a good way.

My First Reaction: “Wait, Where Did My Queue Go?”

I wake up one morning, open up Spotify like usual (cup of coffee in hand), and—bam. Something’s off. Things looked… cleaner? Sharper? But also, a bit too unfamiliar. It took me a second to realize they’d pushed out a new desktop interface update.

At first, it looked cool. New fonts, smoother edges, a slightly different layout. But then I did what I always do: I clicked into my Queue—except I couldn't find it. It had moved. Again.

Hiding the queue behind a tiny icon in the bottom-right corner? Not a fan. Felt like my kitchen drawer moved overnight.

The New Sidebar: Win or Fail?

The updated sidebar layout is probably the most noticeable change. They gave it a cleaner look with pinned playlists, Library tabs (Music, Podcasts, Audiobooks), and easier access to your Liked Songs.

Dragging and pinning playlists? Love it. But sometimes it lags. Not a deal breaker, but enough to make me mumble.

Quick Tip

Go to Settings > Display and toggle “Show all playlists in sidebar.” Trust me—it’s a lifesaver if you’ve got a bunch of playlists.

Improved Search Experience (Finally)

Okay, gotta give Spotify props here—the search function got a legit glow-up. It’s way faster and more organized than before.

I especially liked how results are now grouped by Songs, Artists, Albums, Playlists, and even User Profiles. Feels modern, finally.

Power Move

Search an artist, click the three-dot menu, and hit “Start Radio.” Great way to discover similar stuff on autopilot.

The “Now Playing” View—Ehhh...

The new Now Playing view looks slick: bigger album art, animations, lyrics (when available). But...

Lyrics button moved. It’s hiding now. And if lyrics aren’t available? It just doesn’t say anything. Leaves you hanging.

Another Pro Tip

In Settings > Playback, turn on Crossfade (5s is perfect). Songs blend like butter.

Playlist Editing Got Easier (Kind Of)

Editing playlists feels smoother now. You can rearrange songs easier, and selecting multiple tracks actually works without crashing the app (usually).

But editing collaborative playlists? Still clunky. Updates from friends don’t show up unless you refresh. No notifications. Missed opportunity.

What’s Still Missing?

The update’s decent, but there’s stuff that’s still missing:

• Built-in EQ on desktop (still mobile-only?)
• Local track upload support like back in the day
• Occasional gapless playback glitches
• Better social features (let me stalk what my friends are listening to!)
• Offline mode for desktop — come on, Spotify, please?

What I Learned From This Update

This update reminded me how much we rely on muscle memory. A small button move can throw off your whole flow. It made me more curious though—I started digging into settings more often.

Also found out pressing Ctrl + L jumps straight to the search bar. Game changer.

Bonus Discovery

If you're in the U.S. or Canada, search for “DJ” in the mobile app. Spotify’s AI DJ is a wild ride.

Final Thoughts (And a Small Rant)

Spotify’s desktop update this year? Kinda like a new haircut. Weird at first, but grows on you.

Not perfect. Still daily use. Still love it. But if they hide my queue again, we’re gonna fight.

Your Turn

Did the update mess with your workflow too? Drop a comment below or share your own tips—I’m always learning.