diff --git a/src/lms/ui/explore/ArtistView.cpp b/src/lms/ui/explore/ArtistView.cpp
index 61ef74b6..35ed3989 100644
--- a/src/lms/ui/explore/ArtistView.cpp
+++ b/src/lms/ui/explore/ArtistView.cpp
@@ -253,11 +253,7 @@ namespace lms::ui
             {
                 Wt::WTemplate* releaseContainer{ releaseContainers->addNew<Wt::WTemplate>(Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Artist.template.release-container")) };
 
-                if (releaseType.primaryType || !releaseType.customTypes.empty())
-                    releaseContainer->bindString("release-type", releaseHelpers::buildReleaseTypeString(releaseType));
-                else
-                    releaseContainer->bindString("release-type", Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.releases")); // fallback when not tagged with MB or custom type
-
+                releaseContainer->bindString("release-type", releaseHelpers::buildReleaseTypeString(releaseType));
                 releases.container = releaseContainer->bindNew<InfiniteScrollingContainer>("releases", Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Releases.template.container"));
                 releases.container->onRequestElements.connect(this, [this, &releases = releases] {
                     addSomeReleases(releases);
diff --git a/src/lms/ui/explore/ReleaseHelpers.cpp b/src/lms/ui/explore/ReleaseHelpers.cpp
index 042cedd2..7c3a3327 100644
--- a/src/lms/ui/explore/ReleaseHelpers.cpp
+++ b/src/lms/ui/explore/ReleaseHelpers.cpp
@@ -24,10 +24,13 @@
 #include <Wt/WText.h>
 
 #include "core/EnumSet.hpp"
+#include "core/Utils.hpp"
+
 #include "database/objects/Artist.hpp"
 #include "database/objects/Release.hpp"
 
 #include "Utils.hpp"
+#include "explore/ReleaseTypes.hpp"
 
 namespace lms::ui::releaseListHelpers
 {
@@ -110,85 +113,106 @@ namespace lms::ui::releaseListHelpers
 
 namespace lms::ui::releaseHelpers
 {
+    namespace
+    {
+        static const Wt::WString releaseTypeSeparator{ " · " };
+
+        Wt::WString buildPicardReleaseTypeString(const PicardReleaseType& releaseType)
+        {
+            Wt::WString res;
+
+            switch (releaseType.primaryType)
+            {
+            case PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType::Album:
+                res = Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-primary-album");
+                break;
+            case PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType::Broadcast:
+                res = Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-primary-broadcast");
+                break;
+            case PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType::EP:
+                res = Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-primary-ep");
+                break;
+            case PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType::Single:
+                res = Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-primary-single");
+                break;
+            case PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType::Other:
+                res = Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-primary-other");
+                break;
+            }
+
+            for (PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType secondaryType : releaseType.secondaryTypes)
+            {
+                if (!res.empty())
+                    res += releaseTypeSeparator;
+
+                switch (secondaryType)
+                {
+                case PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Compilation:
+                    res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-compilation");
+                    break;
+                case PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Spokenword:
+                    res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-spokenword");
+                    break;
+                case PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Soundtrack:
+                    res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-soundtrack");
+                    break;
+                case PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Interview:
+                    res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-interview");
+                    break;
+                case PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Audiobook:
+                    res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-audiobook");
+                    break;
+                case PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::AudioDrama:
+                    res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-audiodrama");
+                    break;
+                case PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Live:
+                    res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-live");
+                    break;
+                case PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Remix:
+                    res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-remix");
+                    break;
+                case PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::DJMix:
+                    res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-djmix");
+                    break;
+                case PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Mixtape_Street:
+                    res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-mixtape-street");
+                    break;
+                case PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Demo:
+                    res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-demo");
+                    break;
+                case PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::FieldRecording:
+                    res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-field-recording");
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+
+            return res;
+        }
+
+        Wt::WString buildCustomReleaseTypeString(const CustomReleaseType& releaseType)
+        {
+            Wt::WString res;
+
+            for (const std::string& customType : releaseType.types)
+            {
+                if (!res.empty())
+                    res += releaseTypeSeparator;
+
+                res += customType;
+            }
+
+            return res;
+        }
+    } // namespace
+
     Wt::WString buildReleaseTypeString(const ReleaseType& releaseType)
     {
         Wt::WString res;
 
-        if (releaseType.primaryType)
-        {
-            switch (*releaseType.primaryType)
-            {
-            case PrimaryReleaseType::Album:
-                res = Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-primary-album");
-                break;
-            case PrimaryReleaseType::Broadcast:
-                res = Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-primary-broadcast");
-                break;
-            case PrimaryReleaseType::EP:
-                res = Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-primary-ep");
-                break;
-            case PrimaryReleaseType::Single:
-                res = Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-primary-single");
-                break;
-            case PrimaryReleaseType::Other:
-                res = Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-primary-other");
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-
-        for (SecondaryReleaseType secondaryType : releaseType.secondaryTypes)
-        {
-            if (!res.empty())
-                res += Wt::WString{ " · " };
-
-            switch (secondaryType)
-            {
-            case SecondaryReleaseType::Compilation:
-                res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-compilation");
-                break;
-            case SecondaryReleaseType::Spokenword:
-                res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-spokenword");
-                break;
-            case SecondaryReleaseType::Soundtrack:
-                res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-soundtrack");
-                break;
-            case SecondaryReleaseType::Interview:
-                res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-interview");
-                break;
-            case SecondaryReleaseType::Audiobook:
-                res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-audiobook");
-                break;
-            case SecondaryReleaseType::AudioDrama:
-                res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-audiodrama");
-                break;
-            case SecondaryReleaseType::Live:
-                res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-live");
-                break;
-            case SecondaryReleaseType::Remix:
-                res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-remix");
-                break;
-            case SecondaryReleaseType::DJMix:
-                res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-djmix");
-                break;
-            case SecondaryReleaseType::Mixtape_Street:
-                res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-mixtape-street");
-                break;
-            case SecondaryReleaseType::Demo:
-                res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-demo");
-                break;
-            case SecondaryReleaseType::FieldRecording:
-                res += Wt::WString::tr("Lms.Explore.Release.type-secondary-field-recording");
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-
-        for (const std::string& customType : releaseType.customTypes)
-        {
-            if (!res.empty())
-                res += Wt::WString{ " · " };
-
-            res += customType;
-        }
+        std::visit(core::utils::overloads{
+                       [&](const PicardReleaseType& picardReleaseType) { res = buildPicardReleaseTypeString(picardReleaseType); },
+                       [&](const CustomReleaseType& customReleaseType) { res = buildCustomReleaseTypeString(customReleaseType); } },
+                   releaseType);
 
         return res;
     }
diff --git a/src/lms/ui/explore/ReleaseTypes.cpp b/src/lms/ui/explore/ReleaseTypes.cpp
index 6b54076a..12ef66c2 100644
--- a/src/lms/ui/explore/ReleaseTypes.cpp
+++ b/src/lms/ui/explore/ReleaseTypes.cpp
@@ -17,24 +17,24 @@
  * along with LMS.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
+#include "ReleaseTypes.hpp"
+
 #include <tuple>
 #include <unordered_map>
 
 #include "core/String.hpp"
 
-#include "ReleaseTypes.hpp"
-
 namespace lms::core::stringUtils
 {
     template<>
-    std::optional<ui::PrimaryReleaseType> readAs(std::string_view str)
+    std::optional<ui::PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType> readAs(std::string_view str)
     {
-        static const std::unordered_map<std::string, ui::PrimaryReleaseType> entries{
-            { "album", ui::PrimaryReleaseType::Album },
-            { "single", ui::PrimaryReleaseType::Single },
-            { "ep", ui::PrimaryReleaseType::EP },
-            { "broadcast", ui::PrimaryReleaseType::Broadcast },
-            { "other", ui::PrimaryReleaseType::Other },
+        static const std::unordered_map<std::string, ui::PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType> entries{
+            { "album", ui::PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType::Album },
+            { "single", ui::PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType::Single },
+            { "ep", ui::PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType::EP },
+            { "broadcast", ui::PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType::Broadcast },
+            { "other", ui::PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType::Other },
         };
 
         const auto it{ entries.find(stringToLower(stringTrim(str))) };
@@ -45,21 +45,21 @@ namespace lms::core::stringUtils
     }
 
     template<>
-    std::optional<ui::SecondaryReleaseType> readAs(std::string_view str)
+    std::optional<ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType> readAs(std::string_view str)
     {
-        static const std::unordered_map<std::string, ui::SecondaryReleaseType> entries{
-            { "compilation", ui::SecondaryReleaseType::Compilation },
-            { "soundtrack", ui::SecondaryReleaseType::Soundtrack },
-            { "spokenword", ui::SecondaryReleaseType::Spokenword },
-            { "interview", ui::SecondaryReleaseType::Interview },
-            { "audiobook", ui::SecondaryReleaseType::Audiobook },
-            { "audio drama", ui::SecondaryReleaseType::AudioDrama },
-            { "live", ui::SecondaryReleaseType::Live },
-            { "remix", ui::SecondaryReleaseType::Remix },
-            { "dj-mix", ui::SecondaryReleaseType::DJMix },
-            { "mixtape/street", ui::SecondaryReleaseType::Mixtape_Street },
-            { "demo", ui::SecondaryReleaseType::Demo },
-            { "field recording", ui::SecondaryReleaseType::FieldRecording },
+        static const std::unordered_map<std::string, ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType> entries{
+            { "compilation", ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Compilation },
+            { "soundtrack", ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Soundtrack },
+            { "spokenword", ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Spokenword },
+            { "interview", ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Interview },
+            { "audiobook", ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Audiobook },
+            { "audio drama", ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::AudioDrama },
+            { "live", ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Live },
+            { "remix", ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Remix },
+            { "dj-mix", ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::DJMix },
+            { "mixtape/street", ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Mixtape_Street },
+            { "demo", ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::Demo },
+            { "field recording", ui::PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType::FieldRecording },
         };
 
         const auto it{ entries.find(stringToLower(stringTrim(str))) };
@@ -72,48 +72,48 @@ namespace lms::core::stringUtils
 
 namespace lms::ui
 {
-    ReleaseType parseReleaseType(const std::vector<std::string>& releaseTypeNames)
+    std::optional<PicardReleaseType> parsePicardReleaseType(const std::vector<std::string>& releaseTypeNames)
     {
-        ReleaseType res;
+        if (releaseTypeNames.empty())
+            return std::nullopt;
 
-        for (std::string_view releaseTypeName : releaseTypeNames)
+        const auto primaryType{ core::stringUtils::readAs<PicardReleaseType::PrimaryType>(releaseTypeNames[0]) };
+        if (!primaryType)
+            return std::nullopt;
+
+        PicardReleaseType res{ .primaryType = *primaryType, .secondaryTypes = {} };
+        for (std::size_t i{ 1 }; i < releaseTypeNames.size(); ++i)
         {
-            if (auto primaryType{ core::stringUtils::readAs<PrimaryReleaseType>(releaseTypeName) })
-            {
-                if (!res.primaryType)
-                    res.primaryType = primaryType;
-                else
-                    res.customTypes.push_back(std::string{ releaseTypeName });
-            }
-            else if (auto secondaryType{ core::stringUtils::readAs<SecondaryReleaseType>(releaseTypeName) })
-            {
-                res.secondaryTypes.insert(*secondaryType);
-            }
-            else
-                res.customTypes.push_back(std::string{ releaseTypeName });
+            const auto secondaryType{ core::stringUtils::readAs<PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType>(releaseTypeNames[i]) };
+            if (!secondaryType)
+                return std::nullopt;
+
+            res.secondaryTypes.insert(*secondaryType);
         }
 
         return res;
     }
 
-    bool operator<(std::optional<PrimaryReleaseType> typeA, std::optional<PrimaryReleaseType> typeB)
+    ReleaseType parseReleaseType(const std::vector<std::string>& releaseTypeNames)
     {
-        if (!typeA && typeB)
-            return false;
-        else if (typeA && !typeB)
-            return true;
-        else
-            return static_cast<int>(*typeA) < static_cast<int>(*typeB);
+        if (const auto picardReleaseType{ parsePicardReleaseType(releaseTypeNames) })
+            return *picardReleaseType;
+
+        return CustomReleaseType{ .types = releaseTypeNames };
     }
 
-    bool operator<(core::EnumSet<SecondaryReleaseType> typesA, core::EnumSet<SecondaryReleaseType> typesB)
+    bool operator<(core::EnumSet<PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType> lhs, core::EnumSet<PicardReleaseType::SecondaryType> rhs)
     {
-        return typesA.getBitfield() < typesB.getBitfield();
+        return lhs.getBitfield() < rhs.getBitfield();
     }
 
-    bool ReleaseType::operator<(const ReleaseType& other) const
+    bool PicardReleaseType::operator<(const PicardReleaseType& other) const
     {
-        // TODO : order custom types and compare for each element (size is not to be compared first)
-        return std::tie(primaryType, secondaryTypes, customTypes) < std::tie(other.primaryType, other.secondaryTypes, other.customTypes);
+        return std::tie(primaryType, secondaryTypes) < std::tie(other.primaryType, other.secondaryTypes);
+    }
+
+    bool CustomReleaseType::operator<(const CustomReleaseType& other) const
+    {
+        return types < other.types;
     }
 } // namespace lms::ui
diff --git a/src/lms/ui/explore/ReleaseTypes.hpp b/src/lms/ui/explore/ReleaseTypes.hpp
index 882f4317..8a49d51c 100644
--- a/src/lms/ui/explore/ReleaseTypes.hpp
+++ b/src/lms/ui/explore/ReleaseTypes.hpp
@@ -19,49 +19,55 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
-#include <optional>
 #include <string>
+#include <variant>
 #include <vector>
 
 #include "core/EnumSet.hpp"
 
 namespace lms::ui
 {
-    // see https://musicbrainz.org/doc/Release_Group/Type
-    enum class PrimaryReleaseType
+    struct PicardReleaseType
     {
-        Album,
-        Single,
-        EP,
-        Broadcast,
-        Other
+        // see https://musicbrainz.org/doc/Release_Group/Type
+        enum class PrimaryType : std::uint8_t
+        {
+            Album,
+            Single,
+            EP,
+            Broadcast,
+            Other
+        };
+
+        enum class SecondaryType : std::uint8_t
+        {
+            Compilation,
+            Soundtrack,
+            Spokenword,
+            Interview,
+            Audiobook,
+            AudioDrama,
+            Live,
+            Remix,
+            DJMix,
+            Mixtape_Street,
+            Demo,
+            FieldRecording,
+        };
+
+        PrimaryType primaryType;
+        core::EnumSet<SecondaryType> secondaryTypes;
+
+        bool operator<(const PicardReleaseType&) const;
     };
 
-    enum class SecondaryReleaseType
+    struct CustomReleaseType
     {
-        Compilation,
-        Soundtrack,
-        Spokenword,
-        Interview,
-        Audiobook,
-        AudioDrama,
-        Live,
-        Remix,
-        DJMix,
-        Mixtape_Street,
-        Demo,
-        FieldRecording,
-    };
-
-    struct ReleaseType
-    {
-        std::optional<PrimaryReleaseType> primaryType;
-        core::EnumSet<SecondaryReleaseType> secondaryTypes;
-        std::vector<std::string> customTypes;
-
-        bool operator<(const ReleaseType& other) const;
+        std::vector<std::string> types;
+
+        bool operator<(const CustomReleaseType&) const;
     };
 
+    using ReleaseType = std::variant<PicardReleaseType, CustomReleaseType>;
     ReleaseType parseReleaseType(const std::vector<std::string>& releaseTypeNames);
-
 } // namespace lms::ui
\ No newline at end of file