Spotify’s new desktop layout sparks debate, but old UI could return

Spotify’s latest desktop update has fans of the music streaming giant feeling a bit like they’ve pressed shuffle and landed on the wrong track. The recently introduced layout has been met with divided opinions, with some users bemoaning the changes and others cautiously warming up to the new look. However, it seems Spotify may bring back the old UI, just like the recent case with lyrics.

For those unfamiliar, the new design has moved Spotify’s Home and Search icons from their familiar spot on the left-hand side to the top of the screen, giving the app a search engine-like feel. The once sleek and organized sidebar now feels a bit cluttered and bulky, according to some users. They miss the cleaner, more sophisticated vibe of the previous layout, where everything had its place, and the UI didn’t scream for attention.

Adding to the mix, the search bar at the top of the page is now rounded, taking over what used to be empty space. Some users appreciate this change, arguing that it makes better use of that area. However, others find it jarring, especially since the navigation buttons — those back and forward arrows — now sit awkwardly outside the main panel, feeling a bit stranded on the interface. Click/tap on the images below to see the old and the new UI.

While the new UI is still rolling out, a user reports that Spotify might be hitting the rewind button on this design experiment. Users have spotted the older UI making a surprise return with the latest Spotify update (version 1.2.44.405.g81fd6352 for Windows), sparking speculation that the platform could be second-guessing its latest aesthetic choices. I don’t listen to Spotify on desktop, so I hardly interact with the app on this platform. But I do have the new UI on Spotify version 1.2.43.420, which is an older version than the version that restores the old UI. The new update is still not available for me in the Microsoft Store.

As with any change in a beloved app, there’s always an adjustment period. But for now, it seems like Spotify’s attempt to remix its desktop look might be heading back to the drawing board, and you can help by upvoting the forum request to restore the old UI. Will Spotify find the right balance between fresh and familiar, or is this just the first verse in a longer song of layout tweaks? Only time will tell.