Recommend a music player app

[Spitfirejoe]

OK, I am new to having a smart phone, having given up my old flip phone recently. I now have a Pixel 3A running Android 11. I also use a Galaxy Tab A around the house and while travelling. I've had it with the built-in Google Play Music app. So has Google apparently as they are abandoning it.

What should I try next? I really don't want one that is simply trying to sell me something all the damned time. So I think that probably rules out YouTube Music - I'm not sure.

I'll play my own music files usually, but would like to use an app that will let me explore new or different music in my preferred genres. I believe that rules out BlackPlayer that I'm currently trying out. I'm resistant to subscribe to any pay-to-play service because they all seem to be in a constant state of Flux and I don't want to deal with that.

What are you using, and WHY?

 

[Stillhouse]

If you solely wanted to play your own files, my recommendation would be Poweramp. $4.99 for the full unlock, but well worth it.

https://powerampapp.com

 

[Spitfirejoe]

Thanks, but as I said I do want to be able to explore new/different music.

 

[HTHMAN]

Sounds like you want something like Pandora.

 

[Yamaki]

Try Spotify first. Easy to download to that tablet or phone & you can get a $0 version with ads or pay a bit for fewer ads and a larger library to choose from.

 

[Spitfirejoe]

I rolled over my GooglePlay Music to YouTube Music on their free trial offer. Nice for discovering, but HORRIBLE for playing my own music on my devices. It CAN be done if you dig hard enough, but it's like YT (Google) intentionally crippled that ability. Playlists don't transfer. Metadata was screwed up all over my library, metadata can not be edited in the app, no genre search, etc. I don't think it sounded good either , but hard to tell with my limited usage and bad ears. Even cancelling the trial was a major pain.

I've been using the free BlackPlayer app, and I rather like it. However, there is no way to listen to new stuff out in the world. I will have to see if there is a good way to do this elsewhere.