High Tide 1.6.0 adds playlist editing, artist blocking for Linux TIDAL users

High Tide 1.6.0, the open-source Python-based TIDAL client for Linux, has released with substantial feature additions that bring it closer to parity with the streaming service's official applications. The update introduces playlist creation, editing, and deletion capabilities that were previously unavailable, alongside a new artist and track blocking system with a dedicated preferences panel for managing blocked content. Users also gain play buttons directly on album and playlist covers from the home screen, a new My Activity page showing monthly most-played artists, and quality indicator chips for explicit content, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, and Lossless formats.

The release also includes a setting to prefer clean versions of tracks where available, favourites sorting by Recently Added, a system accent colour integration for the now-playing highlight, and an option to prevent system sleep during playback. Multiple bug fixes address playback resumption after long pauses, offline saved track playback, and incorrect track selection when switching albums. High Tide remains available exclusively through Flathub and requires an active TIDAL subscription, as the service does not offer a free tier.

What changes in High Tide 1.6.0

• Playlist management: Users can now create, edit, and delete playlists, as well as remove individual tracks, expanding beyond the previous limitation of only adding tracks to existing playlists.
• Content blocking system: A new artist and track blocking feature prevents blocked content from appearing in playlists or auto-play queues, managed through a new preferences panel; AI music blocking is in development but not yet exposed in the UI.
• Home screen playback: Play buttons overlaid on album and playlist covers on the main page enable direct playback without navigating to a detail view first.
• Audio quality indicators: Chips displaying Explicit, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, and Lossless badges now appear next to album titles, with a settings option to prefer clean versions when available.
• System integration: The now-playing highlight uses the system accent colour, a wake-lock option prevents sleep during playback, and the 'See all' view now displays complete collections beyond the previous 1,000-item limit.

Why it matters

High Tide fills a notable gap in the Linux desktop ecosystem by providing a native GTK4 application for a major streaming service that officially supports Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android but not Linux. The addition of playlist editing and content blocking reduces the friction for Linux users who would otherwise rely on web apps or unofficial wrappers, demonstrating how open-source clients can maintain feature parity with proprietary platforms through reverse-engineered APIs and community development.