I actually _really_ like these changes, but then again I was previously a VS Code user. I think JetBrains is specifically courting users who, like me, don't deal well with user interfaces that utilize large numbers of text labels. I think they're catching up to "modern design", and trying to skate to where the puck is so to speak.

However, I do want to point out that I don't think the author has actually used the new UI considering they mention the overuse of animations, considering that the new UI doesn't have _any_ as far as I can tell.