Music (iTunes) playback + RATINGS issues

I've updated to the latest OS (Sequoia 15.3.2), but this didn't help.

ISSUE 1: Music / iTunes PLAYBACK:

• when i start up iTunes & hit play or shuffle, it goes to a song, but nothing plays. It just stalls. I have to double click the song it order for it to start.
• When NOT on shuffle, instead of playing the very next song, Music plays a random track, as if it's on shuffle
• Before upgrading to Sequoia, if my shuffle was ON, and I wanted to start the shuffle on a specific song, all I had to do was double click on that song, and Music played that track, shuffling the rest of the library / playlist from that chosen song onwards. This is not the case anymore. If I click on a specific song, it plays something else instead. I have to double-click twice for the song I want to play.

ISSUE 2: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RATING SYSTEM??

• Before, there was an option in settings to turn on "ratings," and you could highlight ANY number of songs, right click, and in the right-click window, there was a "Ratings" section to easily give all highlighted songs the same rating at once. This option is not there anymore.
• Another way to rate a song was to click the 3 dots (right at the top of the window displaying the current playing song's info), going into the "Ratings" section, and giving the currently-playing song a rating. This is also not there anymore.
• The only way to rate multiple songs now is by highlighting, choosing "get info," and then give the rating.

Am I missing something? Am I doing something wrong? Any & all help would be greatly appreciated!

I have a video recording of all these issues, but can't seem to attach it here :(