Google Play Music has finally received a comprehensive update that aims to address quite a few UI issues, namely make it a bit less hideous. However, the 90s style fractal noise background is still there.

The changelog indicates that Google tinkered with quite a few design features:

- Now Playing queue that allows for queuing and reordering of currently playing music.
- New UI for navigation with transport controls on the action bar.
- New large album art view on Recent.
- Playlist art is now constructed from album art of songs in the playlist.
- Now Playing widget has album art and support for thumbs up.
- Harder, better, faster, stronger.

Looks good on paper, but it is nowhere near as impressive when you actually update the app. Granted, there are quite a few improvements, but the app still feels rather unpolished compared to third-party apps available on the Play Store. So, it’s a step in the right direction, but it is still not enough.

We really love the look and feel of stock Android, especially Ice Cream Sandwich, but for some reason Google seems unable to create and equally elegant music player with a minimalist UI and a few good themes.