> the switch between local/downloaded and all Apple Music is on the Other side of the Screen

I can relate. These days I’m primarily using it to search iTunes for music to buy. Switching back to purchasing (instead of streaming) has been a renewed joy.

On macOS, the Music app downloads all purchased media as non-drmd files, which I can point whatever preferred player to for indexing and playback.

Went oldschool and built my own player in 2024 https://xenodium.com/a-tour-of-ready-player-mode