Qobuz Redesigns Its Music Player and Adds Real-Time Lyrics
Qobuz has unveiled a major redesign of its music player, introducing real-time lyrics, improved music discovery and a more immersive listening experience.
The updated player is now available to Qobuz subscribers using the platform’s mobile and tablet applications on iOS and Android. Qobuz says the new features will gradually be introduced across its other supported platforms.
Qobuz Introduces Real-Time Lyrics
One of the biggest additions is support for synchronised lyrics.
Lyrics now move line by line as a song plays, helping listeners follow the words in real time. Translations are also available for supported tracks, making it easier for users to understand songs performed in different languages.
Qobuz has also introduced a selection of playlists designed around songs that listeners can sing along to.
Real-time lyrics are already a familiar feature on several major streaming services. Their arrival on Qobuz brings the platform closer to the broader experience offered by its largest competitors, while maintaining its focus on high-quality audio and deeper music exploration.
A Completely Redesigned Qobuz Player
The Qobuz music player has received a significant visual and functional overhaul.
The interface now dynamically adapts its appearance around the artwork of the album currently playing. This creates a more immersive experience and gives each release a stronger visual identity.
A persistent mini-player also remains visible while users move around the app. Listeners can control playback, save music or add songs to playlists without leaving the page they are browsing.
On tablets, a new split-screen mode allows subscribers to continue listening while exploring other areas of the Qobuz app. Tracks in the play queue can also be rearranged or removed using a simple swipe.
Improved Music Discovery
Qobuz is also using the redesign to make music discovery a bigger part of the listening experience.
A new Explore section recommends music based on the song currently playing. Recommendations can include similar artists, albums, playlists, radio stations, record labels and genres.
Listeners can also access relevant editorial features from Qobuz Magazine without leaving the player. This could help Qobuz differentiate itself from streaming platforms that rely more heavily on automated recommendations and algorithmic playlists.
Rather than simply moving listeners from one song to the next, Qobuz wants users to explore the wider world surrounding an artist, album or recording.
More Detailed Song Credits
The redesigned player provides listeners with easier access to detailed recording information.
Depending on availability, users can view album reviews, artist biographies, digital booklets, technical audio information and expanded credits. Artists and record labels can also be followed directly from the player.
Detailed credits have become increasingly important as streaming services look for ways to properly recognise the producers, engineers, composers, musicians and other professionals involved in creating a recording.
For serious music fans, this additional information can make streaming feel closer to the experience of exploring the artwork and liner notes included with a physical album.
Qobuz Improves Its Queue and Mini-Player
Qobuz has redesigned its listening queue and autoplay experience for mobile users.
The next three tracks are now displayed in advance, allowing listeners to see what is coming and make adjustments before each song begins.
Users can also customise three controls displayed inside the mini-player. Options include changing the audio output, adding a track to favourites and saving it to a playlist.
Music Streaming Is Becoming About More Than Catalogue Size
Most major music streaming services offer access to broadly similar catalogues. This means platforms increasingly need to compete through sound quality, user experience, discovery, editorial content and additional features.
Qobuz has traditionally positioned itself around high-resolution audio and deeper engagement with music. Its redesigned player builds on that position by combining audio quality with lyrics, detailed credits and editorial discovery.
The update may not fundamentally change how music streaming works, but it makes Qobuz a more complete alternative to larger services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Tidal.
For listeners who want to do more than simply press play, Qobuz is creating an experience built around exploring the people, stories and details behind the music.