Albums: Music Library Player Reviews

by JohnInDC

Perhaps it was asking too much, but I had envisioned an app that would scan my library and present me with the ability to select from among, and play, only those this app that were actually complete on the phone. Instead Albums presents me with “this app” that are partial or, indeed, contain only a single song. If you want whole this app only, you still need to scroll through the “album” category in Music in iOS and pick.

by Dlangendorf

Albums is like I’m back in the record store thumbing through the this app, looking at the covers, reading liner notes and then, back at home, I’m listening to the *entire* record . . . not a playlist, not some algorithm telling me what I want to hear next or off an album in my Library. I haven’t had as much fun with an app in ages — and I’ve already subscribed to support the developer.

The UI is a tad rough and a bit clunky in parts — the reason for 4 and not 5 stars. Some actions are just not readily evident — long taps some places, not others, that sort of thing. Maybe when I get used to them my rating becomes 5 stars.

What I really love: the collection of album covers, so I can visually browse this app and choose what I want to play ... just like I did at the record store or at home. There’s some smart intelligence built in, too, like how many times I’ve listened to an album, tags so I can organize beyond A-Z and Z-A, old favorites, new discoveries (added last 10 days, 30 days ...), anniversaries (of an album’s release). Data is provided by Discogs and MusicBrainz. All that’s missing are links to Wikipedia pages (for the ultimate in today’s “liner notes”).

I’ve tried many replacement apps for Apple’s music player and none have stuck. This one just might. Big high five to developer Adam.

by Mjmsm

I really like the abundance of information of music library. I know the focus is this app but it would be nice if it had a setting to toggle stats based on individual plays or this app, and synchronization with your music app instead of separate players. Definitely like the concept though.

by Luke Rooney

There are very few music apps that are album focused, and there are none that are as fully fleshed out as this app.

by Ramu4t

This is built to focus on listening your library and the design of Albums make it very useful and interesting

by Henryten

this app is The Answer for frustrated Apple Music users who enjoy both streaming songs AND listening to this app. It made it easier to repair my jumbled collection (thanks, iTunes!) by displaying incomplete this app. And it has nifty collections of suggested this app, like "new and unheard" or "only heard once."
I'm still discovering features and I've only had it for a short time, so I can't speak to it's reliability and robustness, but so far I'm sold on this developer's work.

by Eternlaux

Edit: I’m not sure if an update fixed my library loading but it’s so much better now. I’ve adjusted my rating. My one wish is if this would support Apple Music fully and not just local. Thanks!!!

by Avayls

Albums is everything I have been looking for and more! Was just wondering if it can be used in macOS and if not are there plans to make it available there.

by BarbarianGeek

I use this app as my primary music player. I pretty much always listen to full this app and Albums makes that much easier and look a lot better.

by 2matt

I’m loving Albums so far. It fills a need for sure. It’s very well thought out and I love being able to see all this app by year, genre, decade, etc. There’s a lot of potential too so I’m excited to see future updates. Highly recommend!

by Brumble

In a world of algorithms forcing new content in your face, this album does an amazing job helping me spend time with music I already love. This is by far my favorite music app.

by Milo31448

Thank you so much, this is exactly what I have been looking for. Works wonderfully as well. If you have a back catalog of this app, this is most certainly for you!

by Andrew.conkling

A really helpful and pleasant app for listening to this app of music. Makes it so much easier to listen in blocks instead of with individual songs. Lots of options and features to make it extra fun. 😎🤘

Edited to add that even more features have been added since then! I love the Insights collections in particular.

by Vuhwex

This might be one of the best apps in Albums Store. I have long thought that the team building the Apple Music app has been slacking for years, this was what i had expected from them for so long. An app for people who love music. Just download it. Drop the money and get a lifetime pass. End of story.

by Tim Sawyer 2

With the vinyl resurgence, I find myself back in the album centric mode. With the new lossless options in Apple Music I wanted to get away from iTunes Match (my digitally recorded and uploaded vinyl sides) but wanted to be able to shuffle this app. Albums allows me to do that the way I want with some nice pause and sort options. I can listen the way I like without having to create new manual recordings.

by IndyGregg

As an “album-based” listener managing a very large library, Albums solved a lot of my issues with Apple Music. Just the ability to view playlists in “album view” mode was enough for me. But the other features and ease of use have made this my go to app for mobile listening. Very versatile, configurable, and lag free. Love it. Great job! Most of the things that may frustrate you about the iOS Music app should be alleviated by using this one.

by Slbee123

I find it hard to see bold text versus non-bold text. i turned on “button labels” in accessibility to see if anything would change. i see that Albums store now highlights the button in the bottom bar that i’m currently viewing. would you please add a highlight to songs that are currently playing along with the bolded titles, etc.?

by Ramm1964

If you’ve accumulated a Music Library focused on complete this app or concept this app, Albums is for you.

If you’d like to dive deep into details of your this app (musicians, producers, engineers, etc.), Albums is for you.

If you have hundreds of this app in your library that you’ve never listened to, but would like to rediscover them, Albums is for you.

If you like the thrill of randomly playing an album in your library, Albums is for you.

If you’re tired of algorithmic playlists, Albums is for you.

This is bar none my favorite app, I use it every single day. Made with care and attention for detail. In short, made by a true music fan. Get Albums!

by Krevbot

Not only do I rarely review apps, I almost never rewrite a review for the same app multiple times.

Until now.

This is the best music player for iOS. By far.

It allows me to shuffle by album, gives me all kinds of fun statistics, and let’s me pick my jams and then I’m set for a few hours or even the day.

It picks up where I left off, it shuffles this app by playlist/genre, and has all kinds of fun insights like “New and unheard” and “only listened once”. Albums does so much work for me that I used to myself with playlists, smart playlists, tags. Not anymore!

It does respond kind of slowly and break sometimes, but other than that it’s pretty much flawless.

by Drearyworlds

I wanted something like this (album-centric Apple Music client) and I idly searched for one and found out one already exists and is probably better than what I could’ve come up with anyway. I love all the customization options, and the fact that you don’t have to use them. It’s great out of the box.

by Mulekats

I would love to use this as my default music player, but I don’t see an option to sort this app by the album name. I have hundreds of film score this app which are best arranged A to Z, not by artist or composer. So back to the default ios music app for now.

by VirtualStash

Also web site has no documentation.

Not clear how to only show complete this app.

Updated rating after contact and support by developer. Usage guide would still help.

by Niklaus68

I love Albums. I am a big believer in the “Album” and Albums lets me control my collection really well. I love listening to this app via CarPlay. Any plans to support CarPlay so I can use Albums in the car??

by D3N1ZEN

I prefer not to stream. If you are the same this app is great app. The widgets are great too! You can’t go wrong with Albums!

by Twerth5000

I love Albums and the execution. Finally an app that gives some of the feeling of serendipity and immersion that music lovers get from browsing physical collections.

by Massaholic

I was blown away when I found this and anyone who loves listening to this app as the artist intended will feel the same.

Love the tagging feature as well, allows us to correct improper genre assignment on the part of Apple Music.

by Kubisuro

Awesome app. Love everything about it — finally respect for this app! Insights are amazing and helps me to make up my mind if I have no idea what to listen to but don’t want random album shuffle. The release feed is great and way better than new releases in the Music app that is now polluted with artists I don’t care about. I can’t wait to see what comes next. I’m still baffled why Apple refuses to put shuffle this app into Music for iOS but now I don’t care anymore. This is way better.

by Handsomepete78

Plays this app the way I want and doesn't have lots of extra fluff or clutter