diff --git a/src/AudioEngine.cpp b/src/AudioEngine.cpp
index 1d62731..f000ba0 100644
--- a/src/AudioEngine.cpp
+++ b/src/AudioEngine.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 #include <QAudioBuffer>
 #include <QDebug>
 #include <QtGlobal>
+#include <QStandardPaths>
+#include <QDir> // Added missing include
 #include <algorithm>
 
 // Include Loop Tempo Estimator
@@ -90,6 +92,10 @@ AudioEngine::~AudioEngine() {
     for(auto p : m_transientProcessors) delete p;
     for(auto p : m_deepProcessors) delete p;
     if (m_fileSource) delete m_fileSource;
+    
+    if (!m_tempFilePath.isEmpty()) {
+        QFile::remove(m_tempFilePath);
+    }
 }
 
 void AudioEngine::setNumBins(int n) {
@@ -139,17 +145,54 @@ void AudioEngine::loadTrack(const QString& filePath) {
     qDebug() << "AudioEngine: Attempting to load" << filePath;
 
 #ifdef Q_OS_ANDROID
-    m_fileSource = new QFile(filePath);
-    if (m_fileSource->open(QIODevice::ReadOnly)) {
-        m_decoder->setSourceDevice(m_fileSource);
-    } else {
-        delete m_fileSource;
-        m_fileSource = nullptr;
-        if (filePath.startsWith("content://")) {
-            m_decoder->setSource(QUrl(filePath));
-        } else {
-            m_decoder->setSource(QUrl::fromLocalFile(filePath));
+    if (filePath.startsWith("content://")) {
+        // Clean up previous temp file
+        if (!m_tempFilePath.isEmpty()) {
+            QFile::remove(m_tempFilePath);
+            m_tempFilePath.clear();
         }
+
+        // Create new temp file path in cache
+        QString cacheDir = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::CacheLocation);
+        QDir().mkpath(cacheDir);
+        // Use a generic extension; FFmpeg probes content, but .m4a helps some parsers
+        m_tempFilePath = cacheDir + "/temp_playback.m4a"; 
+
+        // Open Source (Content URI)
+        QFile srcFile(filePath);
+        bool opened = srcFile.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly);
+        
+        // Fallback: Try decoded path if raw failed (fixes some encoded URI issues)
+        if (!opened) {
+            srcFile.setFileName(QUrl::fromPercentEncoding(filePath.toUtf8()));
+            opened = srcFile.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly);
+        }
+
+        if (opened) {
+            QFile tempFile(m_tempFilePath);
+            if (tempFile.open(QIODevice::WriteOnly)) {
+                // Copy in chunks to avoid memory spikes
+                const qint64 chunkSize = 1024 * 1024; // 1MB
+                while (!srcFile.atEnd()) {
+                    tempFile.write(srcFile.read(chunkSize));
+                }
+                tempFile.close();
+                srcFile.close();
+                
+                qDebug() << "AudioEngine: Copied content URI to temp:" << m_tempFilePath << "Size:" << tempFile.size();
+                m_decoder->setSource(QUrl::fromLocalFile(m_tempFilePath));
+            } else {
+                qWarning() << "AudioEngine: Failed to create temp file";
+                srcFile.close();
+                // Last ditch effort: pass URI directly
+                m_decoder->setSource(QUrl::fromEncoded(filePath.toUtf8()));
+            }
+        } else {
+            qWarning() << "AudioEngine: Failed to open content URI:" << filePath;
+            m_decoder->setSource(QUrl::fromEncoded(filePath.toUtf8()));
+        }
+    } else {
+        m_decoder->setSource(QUrl::fromLocalFile(filePath));
     }
 #else
     m_decoder->setSource(QUrl::fromLocalFile(filePath));
diff --git a/src/AudioEngine.h b/src/AudioEngine.h
index fac48ce..830179d 100644
--- a/src/AudioEngine.h
+++ b/src/AudioEngine.h
@@ -71,4 +71,6 @@ private:
     int m_hopSize = 1024;
     int m_sampleRate = 48000;
     int m_channels = 2;
+
+    QString m_tempFilePath; // For Android content:// caching
 };
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/CommonWidgets.cpp b/src/CommonWidgets.cpp
index cb91f58..15e40d9 100644
--- a/src/CommonWidgets.cpp
+++ b/src/CommonWidgets.cpp
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+// src/CommonWidgets.cpp
+
 #include "CommonWidgets.h"
 #include <QHBoxLayout>
 #include <QVBoxLayout>
@@ -7,37 +9,81 @@
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <cmath>
 
-PlaylistItemWidget::PlaylistItemWidget(const Utils::Metadata& meta, QWidget* parent)
-    : QWidget(parent)
-{
-    QHBoxLayout* layout = new QHBoxLayout(this);
-    layout->setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5);
-    layout->setSpacing(10);
+// --- PlaylistDelegate Implementation ---
 
-    m_thumb = new QLabel(this);
-    m_thumb->setFixedSize(50, 50);
-    m_thumb->setStyleSheet("background-color: #333; border-radius: 4px;");
-    m_thumb->setScaledContents(true);
-    if (!meta.art.isNull()) m_thumb->setPixmap(QPixmap::fromImage(meta.art));
-    layout->addWidget(m_thumb);
+void PlaylistDelegate::paint(QPainter* painter, const QStyleOptionViewItem& option, const QModelIndex& index) const {
+    painter->save();
+    painter->setRenderHint(QPainter::Antialiasing);
 
-    QVBoxLayout* textLayout = new QVBoxLayout();
-    textLayout->setSpacing(2);
+    // Background
+    if (option.state & QStyle::State_Selected) {
+        painter->fillRect(option.rect, QColor(50, 50, 50));
+    } else {
+        painter->fillRect(option.rect, QColor(17, 17, 17)); // Match list background
+    }
 
-    m_title = new QLabel(meta.title, this);
-    m_title->setStyleSheet("color: white; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px;");
+    QRect r = option.rect.adjusted(5, 5, -5, -5);
+    
+    // Icon / Art
+    QPixmap art = index.data(Qt::DecorationRole).value<QPixmap>();
+    QRect iconRect(r.left(), r.top(), 50, 50);
+    
+    if (!art.isNull()) {
+        // Draw scaled art
+        painter->drawPixmap(iconRect, art.scaled(iconRect.size(), Qt::KeepAspectRatioByExpanding, Qt::SmoothTransformation));
+    } else {
+        // Placeholder
+        painter->fillRect(iconRect, QColor(40, 40, 40));
+    }
 
-    m_artist = new QLabel(meta.artist, this);
-    m_artist->setStyleSheet("color: #aaa; font-size: 12px;");
+    // Text
+    QRect textRect = r.adjusted(60, 0, 0, 0);
+    QString title = index.data(Qt::DisplayRole).toString();
+    QString artist = index.data(Qt::UserRole + 1).toString();
 
-    textLayout->addWidget(m_title);
-    textLayout->addWidget(m_artist);
-    textLayout->addStretch();
+    // Title
+    painter->setPen(Qt::white);
+    QFont f = option.font;
+    f.setBold(true);
+    f.setPointSize(14);
+    painter->setFont(f);
+    
+    // Calculate height for title
+    QFontMetrics fmTitle(f);
+    int titleHeight = fmTitle.height();
+    QRect titleRect = textRect;
+    titleRect.setHeight(titleHeight);
+    
+    QString elidedTitle = fmTitle.elidedText(title, Qt::ElideRight, titleRect.width());
+    painter->drawText(titleRect, Qt::AlignLeft | Qt::AlignTop, elidedTitle);
 
-    layout->addLayout(textLayout);
-    layout->addStretch();
+    // Artist
+    painter->setPen(QColor(170, 170, 170));
+    f.setBold(false);
+    f.setPointSize(12);
+    painter->setFont(f);
+    
+    QFontMetrics fmArtist(f);
+    QRect artistRect = textRect;
+    artistRect.setTop(titleRect.bottom() + 2);
+    artistRect.setHeight(fmArtist.height());
+    
+    QString elidedArtist = fmArtist.elidedText(artist, Qt::ElideRight, artistRect.width());
+    painter->drawText(artistRect, Qt::AlignLeft | Qt::AlignTop, elidedArtist);
+
+    // Separator
+    painter->setPen(QColor(34, 34, 34));
+    painter->drawLine(option.rect.bottomLeft(), option.rect.bottomRight());
+
+    painter->restore();
 }
 
+QSize PlaylistDelegate::sizeHint(const QStyleOptionViewItem&, const QModelIndex&) const {
+    return QSize(0, 60);
+}
+
+// --- XYPad ---
+
 XYPad::XYPad(const QString& title, QWidget* parent) : QWidget(parent), m_title(title) {
     setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy::Expanding, QSizePolicy::Expanding);
     setMinimumHeight(150);
diff --git a/src/CommonWidgets.h b/src/CommonWidgets.h
index 2991cbe..50b4e1d 100644
--- a/src/CommonWidgets.h
+++ b/src/CommonWidgets.h
@@ -1,17 +1,19 @@
+// src/CommonWidgets.h
+
 #pragma once
 #include <QWidget>
 #include <QLabel>
 #include <functional>
+#include <QStyledItemDelegate>
 #include "Utils.h"
 
-class PlaylistItemWidget : public QWidget {
+// Replaces PlaylistItemWidget for better performance
+class PlaylistDelegate : public QStyledItemDelegate {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
-    PlaylistItemWidget(const Utils::Metadata& meta, QWidget* parent = nullptr);
-private:
-    QLabel* m_thumb;
-    QLabel* m_title;
-    QLabel* m_artist;
+    using QStyledItemDelegate::QStyledItemDelegate;
+    void paint(QPainter* painter, const QStyleOptionViewItem& option, const QModelIndex& index) const override;
+    QSize sizeHint(const QStyleOptionViewItem& option, const QModelIndex& index) const override;
 };
 
 class XYPad : public QWidget {
diff --git a/src/MainWindow.cpp b/src/MainWindow.cpp
index 6012e18..0ca5aa9 100644
--- a/src/MainWindow.cpp
+++ b/src/MainWindow.cpp
@@ -58,6 +58,11 @@ MainWindow::MainWindow(QWidget* parent) : QMainWindow(parent) {
 }
 
 MainWindow::~MainWindow() {
+    if (m_metaThread) {
+        m_metaLoader->stop();
+        m_metaThread->quit();
+        m_metaThread->wait();
+    }
     if (m_engine) {
         QMetaObject::invokeMethod(m_engine, "stop", Qt::BlockingQueuedConnection);
         m_engine->thread()->quit();
@@ -69,8 +74,16 @@ void MainWindow::initUi() {
     m_playerPage = new PlayerPage(this);
 
     m_playlist = new QListWidget();
-    m_playlist->setStyleSheet("QListWidget { background-color: #111; border: none; } QListWidget::item { border-bottom: 1px solid #222; padding: 5px; } QListWidget::item:selected { background-color: #333; }");
+    m_playlist->setStyleSheet("QListWidget { background-color: #111; border: none; } QListWidget::item { border-bottom: 1px solid #222; padding: 0px; } QListWidget::item:selected { background-color: #333; }");
     m_playlist->setSelectionMode(QAbstractItemView::SingleSelection);
+    
+    // Use Delegate for performance
+    m_playlist->setItemDelegate(new PlaylistDelegate(m_playlist));
+    
+    // Optimize for mobile scrolling
+    m_playlist->setVerticalScrollMode(QAbstractItemView::ScrollPerPixel);
+    m_playlist->setUniformItemSizes(true);
+    
     QScroller::grabGesture(m_playlist, QScroller::LeftMouseButtonGesture);
     connect(m_playlist, &QListWidget::itemDoubleClicked, this, &MainWindow::onTrackDoubleClicked);
 
@@ -172,6 +185,17 @@ void MainWindow::onPermissionsResult(bool granted) {
 }
 
 void MainWindow::loadPath(const QString& rawPath, bool recursive) {
+    // Stop any existing metadata loading
+    if (m_metaThread) {
+        m_metaLoader->stop();
+        m_metaThread->quit();
+        m_metaThread->wait();
+        delete m_metaLoader;
+        delete m_metaThread;
+        m_metaLoader = nullptr;
+        m_metaThread = nullptr;
+    }
+
     QString path = rawPath;
     QUrl url(rawPath);
     
@@ -196,33 +220,56 @@ void MainWindow::loadPath(const QString& rawPath, bool recursive) {
         }
     }
 
-    if (isDir || path.startsWith("content://")) {
+    // Android Content URI Handling
+    bool isContent = path.startsWith("content://");
+    bool isContentDir = false;
+    if (isContent) {
+        isContentDir = Utils::isContentUriFolder(path);
+    }
+
+    if (isDir || isContentDir) {
         m_settingsDir = path;
-        QStringList files = Utils::scanDirectory(path, recursive);
-        for (const auto& f : files) m_tracks.append({f, Utils::getMetadata(f)});
-
-        std::sort(m_tracks.begin(), m_tracks.end(), [](const TrackInfo& a, const TrackInfo& b) {
-            if (a.meta.album != b.meta.album) return a.meta.album < b.meta.album;
-            if (a.meta.trackNumber != b.meta.trackNumber) return a.meta.trackNumber < b.meta.trackNumber;
-            return a.meta.title < b.meta.title;
-        });
-
-        for (const auto& t : m_tracks) {
+        // Force non-recursive for initial fast load as per request
+        QStringList files = Utils::scanDirectory(path, false); 
+        
+        // 1. Populate with dummy metadata immediately
+        for (const auto& f : files) {
+            Utils::Metadata dummy;
+            dummy.title = QFileInfo(f).fileName();
+            m_tracks.append({f, dummy});
+            
             QListWidgetItem* item = new QListWidgetItem(m_playlist);
-            item->setSizeHint(QSize(0, 70));
-            m_playlist->addItem(item);
-            m_playlist->setItemWidget(item, new PlaylistItemWidget(t.meta));
+            item->setText(dummy.title);
         }
-        if (!m_tracks.isEmpty()) loadIndex(0);
 
-    } else if (isFile) {
+        // 2. Start playback immediately if we have tracks
+        if (!m_tracks.isEmpty()) {
+            loadIndex(0);
+            
+            // 3. Start Background Metadata Loading
+            m_metaThread = new QThread(this);
+            m_metaLoader = new Utils::MetadataLoader();
+            m_metaLoader->moveToThread(m_metaThread);
+            
+            connect(m_metaThread, &QThread::started, [=](){ m_metaLoader->startLoading(files); });
+            connect(m_metaLoader, &Utils::MetadataLoader::metadataReady, this, &MainWindow::onMetadataLoaded);
+            connect(m_metaLoader, &Utils::MetadataLoader::finished, m_metaThread, &QThread::quit);
+            connect(m_metaThread, &QThread::finished, m_metaLoader, &QObject::deleteLater);
+            connect(m_metaThread, &QThread::finished, m_metaThread, &QObject::deleteLater);
+            
+            m_metaThread->start();
+        }
+
+    } else if (isFile || (isContent && !isContentDir)) {
         m_settingsDir = info.path();
         TrackInfo t = {path, Utils::getMetadata(path)};
         m_tracks.append(t);
         QListWidgetItem* item = new QListWidgetItem(m_playlist);
-        item->setSizeHint(QSize(0, 70));
-        m_playlist->addItem(item);
-        m_playlist->setItemWidget(item, new PlaylistItemWidget(t.meta));
+        item->setText(t.meta.title);
+        item->setData(Qt::UserRole + 1, t.meta.artist);
+        if (!t.meta.art.isNull()) {
+            item->setData(Qt::DecorationRole, QPixmap::fromImage(t.meta.art));
+        }
         loadIndex(0);
     }
 
@@ -235,6 +282,34 @@ void MainWindow::loadPath(const QString& rawPath, bool recursive) {
 #endif
 }
 
+void MainWindow::onMetadataLoaded(int index, const Utils::Metadata& meta) {
+    if (index < 0 || index >= m_tracks.size()) return;
+    
+    m_tracks[index].meta = meta;
+    
+    QListWidgetItem* item = m_playlist->item(index);
+    if (item) {
+        item->setText(meta.title);
+        item->setData(Qt::UserRole + 1, meta.artist);
+        if (!meta.art.isNull()) {
+            item->setData(Qt::DecorationRole, QPixmap::fromImage(meta.art));
+        }
+    }
+
+    // If this is the currently playing track, update the UI elements that depend on metadata
+    if (index == m_currentIndex) {
+        QString title = meta.title;
+        if (!meta.artist.isEmpty()) title += " - " + meta.artist;
+        setWindowTitle(title);
+
+        int bins = m_playerPage->settings()->getBins();
+        auto colors = Utils::extractAlbumColors(meta.art, bins);
+        std::vector<QColor> stdColors;
+        for(const auto& c : colors) stdColors.push_back(c);
+        m_playerPage->visualizer()->setAlbumPalette(stdColors);
+    }
+}
+
 void MainWindow::loadSettings() {
     if (m_settingsDir.isEmpty()) return;
     if (m_settingsDir.startsWith("content://")) return;
@@ -296,11 +371,15 @@ void MainWindow::loadIndex(int index) {
     const auto& t = m_tracks[index];
     m_playlist->setCurrentRow(index);
 
-    int bins = m_playerPage->settings()->findChild<QSlider*>()->value();
-    auto colors = Utils::extractAlbumColors(t.meta.art, bins);
-    std::vector<QColor> stdColors;
-    for(const auto& c : colors) stdColors.push_back(c);
-    m_playerPage->visualizer()->setAlbumPalette(stdColors);
+    // Note: We don't extract colors here if art is null (which it is initially).
+    // onMetadataLoaded will handle the update when art arrives.
+    if (!t.meta.art.isNull()) {
+        int bins = m_playerPage->settings()->findChild<QSlider*>()->value();
+        auto colors = Utils::extractAlbumColors(t.meta.art, bins);
+        std::vector<QColor> stdColors;
+        for(const auto& c : colors) stdColors.push_back(c);
+        m_playerPage->visualizer()->setAlbumPalette(stdColors);
+    }
 
     QMetaObject::invokeMethod(m_engine, "loadTrack", Qt::QueuedConnection, Q_ARG(QString, t.path));
 }
@@ -315,7 +394,8 @@ void MainWindow::onTrackLoaded(bool success) {
             setWindowTitle(title);
         }
     } else {
-        nextTrack();
+        // Prevent infinite loop if track fails to load
+        qWarning() << "Failed to load track. Stopping auto-advance.";
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/MainWindow.h b/src/MainWindow.h
index 1f5494d..130b14b 100644
--- a/src/MainWindow.h
+++ b/src/MainWindow.h
@@ -7,9 +7,11 @@
 #include <QStackedWidget>
 #include <QTabWidget>
 #include <QTimer>
+#include <QThread>
 #include "AudioEngine.h"
 #include "PlayerControls.h"
 #include "CommonWidgets.h"
+#include "Utils.h"
 
 class MainWindow : public QMainWindow {
     Q_OBJECT
@@ -28,7 +30,7 @@ private slots:
     void onTrackLoaded(bool success);
     void onTrackDoubleClicked(QListWidgetItem* item);
     void onAnalysisReady(float bpm, float confidence);
-    void updateSmoothing(); // New slot for BPM feedback logic
+    void updateSmoothing(); 
     void play();
     void pause();
     void nextTrack();
@@ -38,6 +40,10 @@ private slots:
     void onBinsChanged(int n);
     void onToggleFullScreen();
     void saveSettings();
+    
+    // New slot for background metadata
+    void onMetadataLoaded(int index, const Utils::Metadata& meta);
+
 private:
     void initUi();
     void loadIndex(int index);
@@ -61,5 +67,9 @@ private:
     PendingAction m_pendingAction = PendingAction::None;
     QString m_settingsDir;
     
-    float m_lastBpm = 0.0f; // Store last detected BPM
+    float m_lastBpm = 0.0f; 
+    
+    // Background Metadata Loading
+    Utils::MetadataLoader* m_metaLoader = nullptr;
+    QThread* m_metaThread = nullptr;
 };
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/Utils.cpp b/src/Utils.cpp
index 6c3dc8a..1375a3f 100644
--- a/src/Utils.cpp
+++ b/src/Utils.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@
 #include <QJsonObject>
 #include <QJsonArray>
 #include <QDebug>
+#include <QStandardPaths>
+#include <QCryptographicHash>
+#include <QMap>
+#include <QMutex>
 #include <cmath>
 
 #ifdef Q_OS_ANDROID
@@ -39,7 +43,6 @@ void scanAndroidTree(const QJniObject& context, const QJniObject& treeUri, const
     );
 
     if (env.checkAndClearExceptions()) {
-        qWarning() << "JNI: SecurityException or other error querying children of" << parentDocId.toString();
         return;
     }
 
@@ -106,7 +109,6 @@ Utils::Metadata getMetadataAndroid(const QString &path) {
             );
         }
     } catch (...) {
-        qWarning() << "JNI: Failed to set data source for" << path;
         env.checkAndClearExceptions();
         return meta;
     }
@@ -170,9 +172,6 @@ Utils::Metadata getMetadataIOS(const QString &path) {
     NSURL *url = [NSURL fileURLWithPath:path.toNSString()];
     AVURLAsset *asset = [AVURLAsset URLAssetWithURL:url options:nil];
     
-    // Note: In a real app, we should load values asynchronously, but for this simple player
-    // we access commonMetadata directly which might block slightly or return cached data.
-    // For local files, it's usually fast enough.
     NSArray<AVMetadataItem *> *metadata = [asset commonMetadata];
 
     for (AVMetadataItem *item in metadata) {
@@ -204,21 +203,15 @@ Utils::Metadata getMetadataIOS(const QString &path) {
 - (void)documentPicker:(UIDocumentPickerViewController *)controller didPickDocumentsAtURLs:(NSArray<NSURL *> *)urls {
     if (urls.count > 0) {
         NSURL *url = urls.firstObject;
-        
-        // If it's a folder, we must start accessing the security scoped resource.
-        // We intentionally do NOT stop accessing it to ensure the app can read it later.
-        // The OS will clean up when the app terminates.
         if (self.isFolder) {
             [url startAccessingSecurityScopedResource];
         }
-        
         if (self.callback) {
             self.callback(QString::fromNSString(url.absoluteString));
         }
     }
 }
 - (void)documentPickerWasCancelled:(UIDocumentPickerViewController *)controller {
-    // Do nothing
 }
 @end
 
@@ -234,19 +227,15 @@ namespace Utils {
 
         UIDocumentPickerViewController *picker = nil;
 
-        // Use modern API (iOS 14+)
         if (folder) {
-            // Open folder in place (asCopy: NO)
             picker = [[UIDocumentPickerViewController alloc] initForOpeningContentTypes:@[UTTypeFolder] asCopy:NO];
         } else {
-            // Import file (asCopy: YES) - copies to app sandbox
             picker = [[UIDocumentPickerViewController alloc] initForOpeningContentTypes:@[UTTypeAudio] asCopy:YES];
         }
         
         picker.delegate = g_pickerDelegate;
         picker.allowsMultipleSelection = NO;
 
-        // Find Root VC (Scene-aware)
         UIViewController *root = nil;
         for (UIScene *scene in UIApplication.sharedApplication.connectedScenes) {
             if (scene.activationState == UISceneActivationStateForegroundActive && [scene isKindOfClass:[UIWindowScene class]]) {
@@ -255,7 +244,6 @@ namespace Utils {
             }
         }
         
-        // Fallback
         if (!root) {
             #pragma clang diagnostic push
             #pragma clang diagnostic ignored "-Wdeprecated-declarations"
@@ -265,8 +253,6 @@ namespace Utils {
 
         if (root) {
             [root presentViewController:picker animated:YES completion:nil];
-        } else {
-            qWarning() << "iOS: Could not find root view controller to present picker.";
         }
     }
 }
@@ -274,12 +260,28 @@ namespace Utils {
 
 namespace Utils {
 
+static QString getBinary(const QString& name) {
+    QString bin = QStandardPaths::findExecutable(name);
+    if (!bin.isEmpty()) return bin;
+    
+    QStringList paths = { 
+        "/opt/homebrew/bin/" + name, 
+        "/usr/local/bin/" + name, 
+        "/usr/bin/" + name, 
+        "/bin/" + name 
+    };
+    for (const auto& p : paths) {
+        if (QFile::exists(p)) return p;
+    }
+    return name;
+}
+
 bool checkDependencies() {
 #if defined(Q_OS_ANDROID) || defined(Q_OS_IOS)
     return true;
 #else
     QProcess p;
-    p.start("ffmpeg", {"-version"});
+    p.start(getBinary("ffmpeg"), {"-version"});
     return p.waitForFinished() && p.exitCode() == 0;
 #endif
 }
@@ -292,7 +294,7 @@ QString convertToWav(const QString &inputPath) {
     if (QFile::exists(wavPath)) QFile::remove(wavPath);
 
     QProcess p;
-    p.start("ffmpeg", {"-y", "-i", inputPath, "-vn", "-loglevel", "error", "-f", "wav", wavPath});
+    p.start(getBinary("ffmpeg"), {"-y", "-v", "quiet", "-i", inputPath, "-vn", "-f", "wav", wavPath});
     if (p.waitForFinished() && p.exitCode() == 0) {
         return wavPath;
     }
@@ -300,6 +302,10 @@ QString convertToWav(const QString &inputPath) {
 #endif
 }
 
+// Global Runtime Cache for Album Art
+static QMap<QString, QImage> g_artCache;
+static QMutex g_cacheMutex;
+
 Metadata getMetadata(const QString &filePath) {
 #ifdef Q_OS_ANDROID
     return getMetadataAndroid(filePath);
@@ -309,8 +315,12 @@ Metadata getMetadata(const QString &filePath) {
     Metadata meta;
     meta.title = QFileInfo(filePath).fileName();
 
+    QString ffprobe = getBinary("ffprobe");
+    QString ffmpeg = getBinary("ffmpeg");
+
+    // 1. Get Tags (Fast)
     QProcess p;
-    p.start("ffprobe", {"-v", "quiet", "-print_format", "json", "-show_format", "-show_streams", filePath});
+    p.start(ffprobe, {"-v", "quiet", "-print_format", "json", "-show_format", "-show_streams", filePath});
     if (p.waitForFinished()) {
         QJsonDocument doc = QJsonDocument::fromJson(p.readAllStandardOutput());
         QJsonObject root = doc.object();
@@ -325,11 +335,48 @@ Metadata getMetadata(const QString &filePath) {
         }
     }
 
+    // 2. Check Caches for Album Art
+    if (!meta.album.isEmpty()) {
+        QMutexLocker locker(&g_cacheMutex);
+        
+        // Runtime Cache
+        if (g_artCache.contains(meta.album)) {
+            meta.art = g_artCache[meta.album];
+            return meta;
+        }
+
+        // Disk Cache
+        QString cacheDir = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::CacheLocation) + "/covers";
+        QDir().mkpath(cacheDir);
+        QString hash = QString(QCryptographicHash::hash(meta.album.toUtf8(), QCryptographicHash::Md5).toHex());
+        QString cachePath = cacheDir + "/" + hash + ".png";
+
+        if (QFile::exists(cachePath)) {
+            if (meta.art.load(cachePath)) {
+                g_artCache.insert(meta.album, meta.art);
+                return meta;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // 3. Extract Art (Slow)
     QProcess pArt;
-    pArt.start("ffmpeg", {"-y", "-i", filePath, "-an", "-vcodec", "png", "-f", "image2pipe", "-"});
+    pArt.start(ffmpeg, {"-y", "-v", "quiet", "-i", filePath, "-an", "-vcodec", "png", "-f", "image2pipe", "-"});
     if (pArt.waitForFinished()) {
         QByteArray data = pArt.readAllStandardOutput();
-        if (!data.isEmpty()) meta.art.loadFromData(data);
+        if (!data.isEmpty()) {
+            meta.art.loadFromData(data);
+            
+            // Update Caches
+            if (!meta.album.isEmpty() && !meta.art.isNull()) {
+                QMutexLocker locker(&g_cacheMutex);
+                g_artCache.insert(meta.album, meta.art);
+                
+                QString cacheDir = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::CacheLocation) + "/covers";
+                QString hash = QString(QCryptographicHash::hash(meta.album.toUtf8(), QCryptographicHash::Md5).toHex());
+                meta.art.save(cacheDir + "/" + hash + ".png", "PNG");
+            }
+        }
     }
     return meta;
 #endif
@@ -357,6 +404,32 @@ QVector<QColor> extractAlbumColors(const QImage &art, int numBins) {
     return palette;
 }
 
+bool isContentUriFolder(const QString& path) {
+#ifdef Q_OS_ANDROID
+    if (!path.startsWith("content://")) return false;
+    QJniEnvironment env;
+    QJniObject uri = QJniObject::callStaticObjectMethod(
+        "android/net/Uri", "parse", "(Ljava/lang/String;)Landroid/net/Uri;",
+        QJniObject::fromString(path).object<jstring>()
+    );
+    if (!uri.isValid()) return false;
+
+    QJniObject context = QNativeInterface::QAndroidApplication::context();
+    QJniObject contentResolver = context.callObjectMethod("getContentResolver", "()Landroid/content/ContentResolver;");
+    QJniObject type = contentResolver.callObjectMethod(
+        "getType", "(Landroid/net/Uri;)Ljava/lang/String;", uri.object()
+    );
+    
+    if (env.checkAndClearExceptions()) return false;
+    if (!type.isValid()) return false;
+    
+    QString mime = type.toString();
+    return mime == "vnd.android.document/directory"; 
+#else
+    return false;
+#endif
+}
+
 QStringList scanDirectory(const QString &path, bool recursive) {
     #ifdef Q_OS_ANDROID
     if (path.startsWith("content://")) {
@@ -371,31 +444,25 @@ QStringList scanDirectory(const QString &path, bool recursive) {
         QJniObject context = QNativeInterface::QAndroidApplication::context();
         QJniObject contentResolver = context.callObjectMethod("getContentResolver", "()Landroid/content/ContentResolver;");
 
-        // 1. Take Persistable Permission (Using Tree URI)
         contentResolver.callMethod<void>(
             "takePersistableUriPermission", 
             "(Landroid/net/Uri;I)V", 
             uri.object(), 
-            1 // FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION
+            1 
         );
         
         if (env.checkAndClearExceptions()) {
-            qWarning() << "JNI: Failed to take persistable URI permission for" << path;
         }
 
-        // 2. Get the Tree Document ID
         QJniObject docId = QJniObject::callStaticObjectMethod(
             "android/provider/DocumentsContract", "getTreeDocumentId", 
             "(Landroid/net/Uri;)Ljava/lang/String;", uri.object()
         );
         
         if (env.checkAndClearExceptions() || !docId.isValid()) {
-            qWarning() << "JNI: Failed to get Tree Document ID for" << path;
             return results;
         }
 
-        // 3. FIX: Build the proper Document URI from the Tree URI (As per SO #79528590)
-        // This validates that the URI we have can be converted to a Document URI, preventing "Invalid URI" errors later.
         QJniObject parentDocUri = QJniObject::callStaticObjectMethod(
             "android/provider/DocumentsContract", "buildDocumentUriUsingTree",
             "(Landroid/net/Uri;Ljava/lang/String;)Landroid/net/Uri;",
@@ -403,12 +470,9 @@ QStringList scanDirectory(const QString &path, bool recursive) {
         );
 
         if (env.checkAndClearExceptions() || !parentDocUri.isValid()) {
-             qWarning() << "JNI: Failed to build Document URI using Tree for" << path;
              return results;
         }
 
-        // 4. Scan the tree
-        // Note: buildChildDocumentsUriUsingTree (inside scanAndroidTree) requires the TREE Uri, not the Document Uri.
         scanAndroidTree(context, uri, docId, results, recursive);
         return results;
     }
@@ -423,7 +487,80 @@ QStringList scanDirectory(const QString &path, bool recursive) {
 }
 
 void requestAndroidPermissions(std::function<void(bool)> callback) {
+#ifdef Q_OS_ANDROID
+    QJniObject activity = QNativeInterface::QAndroidApplication::context();
+    
+    // Check SDK version
+    QJniObject version = QJniObject::getStaticField<QJniObject>("android/os/Build$VERSION", "SDK_INT", "I");
+    int sdkInt = version.callMethod<jint>("intValue");
+
+    QString permission;
+    if (sdkInt >= 33) { // Android 13+
+        permission = "android.permission.READ_MEDIA_AUDIO";
+    } else {
+        permission = "android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE";
+    }
+
+    jint result = activity.callMethod<jint>(
+        "checkSelfPermission", 
+        "(Ljava/lang/String;)I", 
+        QJniObject::fromString(permission).object<jstring>()
+    );
+
+    if (result == 0) { // PERMISSION_GRANTED
+        callback(true);
+    } else {
+        // Request permission
+        QJniObject permissionsArray = QJniObject::callStaticObjectMethod(
+            "java/lang/reflect/Array", 
+            "newInstance", 
+            "(Ljava/lang/Class;I)Ljava/lang/Object;", 
+            QJniObject::findClass("java/lang/String"), 
+            1
+        );
+        
+        QJniObject::callStaticObjectMethod(
+            "java/lang/reflect/Array", 
+            "set", 
+            "(Ljava/lang/Object;ILjava/lang/Object;)V", 
+            permissionsArray.object(), 
+            0, 
+            QJniObject::fromString(permission).object<jstring>()
+        );
+
+        activity.callMethod<void>(
+            "requestPermissions", 
+            "([Ljava/lang/String;I)V", 
+            permissionsArray.object(), 
+            101 // Request Code
+        );
+        
+        // We can't easily wait for the callback here without a native listener.
+        // Return false to indicate permission was not immediately available.
+        // The system dialog will show up. User has to click "Open" again.
+        callback(false);
+    }
+#else
     callback(true);
+#endif
+}
+
+// --- MetadataLoader Implementation ---
+
+MetadataLoader::MetadataLoader(QObject* parent) : QObject(parent) {}
+
+void MetadataLoader::startLoading(const QStringList& paths) {
+    m_stop = false;
+    for (int i = 0; i < paths.size(); ++i) {
+        if (m_stop) break;
+        Metadata meta = getMetadata(paths[i]);
+        emit metadataReady(i, meta);
+    }
+    emit finished();
+}
+
+void MetadataLoader::stop() {
+    m_stop = true;
 }
 
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/Utils.h b/src/Utils.h
index dabfd42..89089df 100644
--- a/src/Utils.h
+++ b/src/Utils.h
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 #include <QVector>
 #include <QColor>
 #include <QStringList>
+#include <QObject>
+#include <atomic>
 #include <functional>
 
 namespace Utils {
@@ -23,10 +25,29 @@ namespace Utils {
     Metadata getMetadata(const QString &filePath);
     QVector<QColor> extractAlbumColors(const QImage &art, int numBins);
     QStringList scanDirectory(const QString &path, bool recursive);
+    
+    // Android specific helper
+    bool isContentUriFolder(const QString& path);
 
     void requestAndroidPermissions(std::function<void(bool)> callback);
 
 #ifdef Q_OS_IOS
     void openIosPicker(bool folder, std::function<void(QString)> callback);
 #endif
+
+    // Background Metadata Loader
+    class MetadataLoader : public QObject {
+        Q_OBJECT
+    public:
+        explicit MetadataLoader(QObject* parent = nullptr);
+        void startLoading(const QStringList& paths);
+        void stop();
+
+    signals:
+        void metadataReady(int index, const Utils::Metadata& meta);
+        void finished();
+
+    private:
+        std::atomic<bool> m_stop{false};
+    };
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/VisualizerWidget.cpp b/src/VisualizerWidget.cpp
index 21d2f0a..c5826e5 100644
--- a/src/VisualizerWidget.cpp
+++ b/src/VisualizerWidget.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <numeric>
 
+#ifndef M_PI
+#define M_PI 3.14159265358979323846
+#endif
+
 VisualizerWidget::VisualizerWidget(QWidget* parent) : QWidget(parent) {
     setAttribute(Qt::WA_OpaquePaintEvent);
     setNumBins(26);
@@ -197,7 +201,23 @@ void VisualizerWidget::drawContent(QPainter& p, int w, int h) {
         if (m_mirrored) frameHue = 1.0f - frameHue; // Invert hue for mirrored mode
         if (frameHue < 0) frameHue += 1.0f;
 
-        unifiedColor = QColor::fromHsvF(frameHue, 1.0, 1.0);
+        // --- MWA Filter for Hue ---
+        float angle = frameHue * 2.0f * M_PI;
+        m_hueHistory.push_back({std::cos(angle), std::sin(angle)});
+        if (m_hueHistory.size() > 40) m_hueHistory.pop_front(); // ~0.6s smoothing
+
+        float avgCos = 0.0f;
+        float avgSin = 0.0f;
+        for (const auto& pair : m_hueHistory) {
+            avgCos += pair.first;
+            avgSin += pair.second;
+        }
+        
+        float smoothedAngle = std::atan2(avgSin, avgCos);
+        float smoothedHue = smoothedAngle / (2.0f * M_PI);
+        if (smoothedHue < 0.0f) smoothedHue += 1.0f;
+
+        unifiedColor = QColor::fromHsvF(smoothedHue, 1.0, 1.0);
     }
 
     // --- Draw Trails First (Behind) ---
diff --git a/src/VisualizerWidget.h b/src/VisualizerWidget.h
index 6ea8096..b09984d 100644
--- a/src/VisualizerWidget.h
+++ b/src/VisualizerWidget.h
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include <QMouseEvent>
 #include <vector>
 #include <deque>
+#include <utility> // For std::pair
 #include <QPointF>
 #include "AudioEngine.h"
 
@@ -46,6 +47,9 @@ private:
     std::vector<ChannelState> m_channels;
     std::vector<QColor> m_albumPalette;
     std::vector<float> m_customBins;
+    
+    // Hue Smoothing History (Cos, Sin)
+    std::deque<std::pair<float, float>> m_hueHistory;
 
     bool m_glass = true;
     bool m_focus = false;