Lyra

As incredibly convenient as most streaming services are, their subscription fees tend to rise yearly, while some tracks can be subjected to regional restrictions, licensing disputes or exclusivity deals that make the copyright holder remove them for the platform, ultimately forcing users to use another service concomitantly.

When the fast-paced constant internet access requirements and the privacy-related concerns powered by some of the ad-filled subscription tiers are added into the mix, some media consumption enthusiasts start looking for alternatives that are powered by front-ends the likes of Lyra.

Taking into consideration the recent debacles regarding digital media’s increasingly apparent ephemeral state which leaves customers unable to access or fully utilize the products they paid for, those who wish to enjoy them across multiple platforms are well-served by Music Player Daemon, or MPD.

Unlike more straightforward services such as Plex or Jellyfin, MPD lets third-party developers to create custom interfaces that cater to different needs and preferences. Lyra, in this instance, maintains a clean theme inspired by older iterations of macOS without compromising on functionality.

On top of the usual ability to display tags, similar artists and detailed band descriptions, the app also implements a cache of the available music library locally through and SQLite database, meant to speed up the loading process and support ratings alongside smart playlists.

Those who wish to build up their collection with more items can integrate the Last.fm service and let the dynamic and unpredictable nature of internet radio help them expand their library by harnessing the information provided by users’ habits and matching them with songs from the latest trends.

With Lyra, users have the option of either locally streaming their songs or using the power of internet-based services and algorithms to enhance their database of tracks that cannot have their licenses revoked by third-parties.