Apple Music Makes It Easier to Find Alternate Versions of Albums

[MacRumors]

Apple Music has introduced a new UI for alternate albums in an effort to declutter artist pages and make it easier to find these albums. Now, when an alternate version of an album is available (a non-explicit version or a remaster, for example), it will be listed underneath the main album's track list (via MacStories).

This way, the "Albums" section on the artist's main Apple Music page is a bit more focused on their main studio albums and doesn't have clutter of deluxe editions, live albums, or explicit and non-explicit versions. This update does appear to be rolling out slowly, however, as some artist pages still have numerous versions listed under the "Albums" section.

To find if an album has the "Other Versions" list, simply open the album in Apple Music, scroll down past the track list, and if there are alternate options you'll see them listed at the bottom of the page. If any of your friends have listened to the album, "Other Versions" will be stacked beneath "Friends Who Listened."

Apple has made quiet changes like this to its music streaming platform in the past, previously revamping artist pages with enlarged portraits and a shuffle all "play" button. More recently, the service gained a new "For You" tab layout that updates throughout the day with artists, songs, and moods that match various themes.

Yesterday, Apple also launched the "Replay 2020" playlist for its users, which will keep track of their most streamed songs throughout the year.

Article Link: Apple Music Makes It Easier to Find Alternate Versions of Albums

 

[Rychiar]

I hate that the non remasters exist on there. Why not just replace? makes my iTunes Match albums come out all messed up with half the tracks remastered and half not at random

 

[rosegoldoli]

a much needed and appreciated update (no sarcasm)

 

[Hiddecollee]

I hate that the non remasters exist on there. Why not just replace? makes my iTunes Match albums come out all messed up with half the tracks remastered and half not at random

I complained about this sometime ago on reddit and someone pointed out that sometimes the remastered version is worse, I think that’s why they don’t Automatically replace it.

 

[cwazytech]

I like it. Now if only Apple Music would provide clean versions of every explicit album...This father of three would love it.

 

[NokX]

I love Apple Music but the UI is horrible. Hoping they do a revamp soon.

 

[RigoStar]

I like it. Now if only Apple Music would provide clean versions of every explicit album...This father of three would love it.

You're maybe listening to the wrong music...

 

[cwazytech]

You're maybe listening to the wrong music...

How so?

 

[WaxedJacket]

Any attention the music app gets is a plus for me.

 

[RigoStar]

How so?

Just don't find explicit music inspiring.

 

[JasonNewEngland]

You're maybe listening to the wrong music...

Are parents only allowed to listen to Air Supply? There's a ton of great music out there that have a lyric or two that you don't necessarily want young kids to hear. If I can only listen to Kidz Bop covers then please kill me.

 

[badatusernames]

I like it. Now if only Apple Music would provide clean versions of every explicit album...This father of three would love it.

The new update allows you to see other versions which would include non explicit versions and vice versa.

 

[cwazytech]

The new update allows you to see other versions which would include non explicit versions and vice versa.

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Yeah, and I like that, but not all explicit albums or tracks have clean versions.
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Just don't find explicit music inspiring.

I wouldn't say all music that carry the "Explicit" label are uninspiring.

 

[ss2cire]

While I dont go out of my way to listen to explicit music, I find the edited versions are lacking when listening to them, so I do prefer them if I like the song.

 

[cwazytech]

While I dont go out of my way to listen to explicit music, I find the edited versions are lacking when listening to them, so I do prefer them if I like the song.

Agreed! So many more artist's are putting out records with the "Explicit" label. I honestly don't mind it most of the time, but it's just easier to have the clean versions of songs. That way I can listen to music on a stereo without having to turn the volume down or skip tracks cause those within listening distance might find it inappropriate. Or when I'm in the car with the kiddos. It's just nice.

 

[lars666]

I complained about this sometime ago on reddit and someone pointed out that sometimes the remastered version is worse, I think that’s why they don’t Automatically replace it.

Really depends on the remaster. Some are great, some are terrible because they are only a product of the so-called "loudness war". (The coroner virus of music produced for cheap speaker equipment and/or our today's chart hits trained ears.)

 

[guzhogi]

I hate that the non remasters exist on there. Why not just replace? makes my iTunes Match albums come out all messed up with half the tracks remastered and half not at random

For some reason, iTunes/Music adds both the original & the remaster to my library. Now I get doubles of songs. Really irritating.

 

[ThankYouRob]

This is a great addition! Now, I'd like to see collaborative playlists - if anything at least between members of a Family Music subscription.

 

[nickhutson]

great!

Now - if only they'd make it so it doesn't split albums up into two...or three...!!!

 

[jonblatho]

I like it. Now if only Apple Music would provide clean versions of every explicit album...This father of three would love it.

That’s up to the artist, not Apple, to release clean edits on Apple Music. There are also some records — one hilarious but very vulgar song in my library comes to mind — for which a clean version would just be completely meaningless.

 

[cliffster82]

I love Apple Music but the UI is horrible. Hoping they do a revamp soon.

Honestly curious, do you have 1 or 2 major gripes or examples of what's bad about the UI?

 

[cwazytech]

That’s up to the artist, not Apple, to release clean edits on Apple Music.

I know😒
But a guy can dream.

 

[Philsy]

Surely the headline should read ‘alternative’. Alternate means every other album. 😊

 

[Benjamid]

I hate that the non remasters exist on there. Why not just replace? makes my iTunes Match albums come out all messed up with half the tracks remastered and half not at random

Because most remasters suck, thats why. I know maybe two or three remasters that improve the original, the rest sucks.
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I like it. Now if only Apple Music would provide clean versions of every explicit album...This father of three would love it.

I wonder how a clean version of some Cannibal Corpse album would work

 

[BeeeGeee]

Yes, ok, that’s sounds good. I would have prefered an update of the Music App making the titles of the albums displayed when listening on iPhone (or iPad) the albums purchased on iTunes. I really do not understand why this regression when Apple switched from iTunes to Music. The weird thing is that when you play your music on a device through CarPlay or Airplay, these devices show the whole information: track title, artist, album title! The fact this is not the case on the iPhone is really frustrating.