Reporting back: Friday 5pm, immediate entry for airline-based entries but a queue for those entering with PP.
Inside the lounge it was busy but there were still free seats. F&B quality/variety better than Madrid Airport AENA lounges, and better cleaning.
Crowd behaviour better too, no one talking aloud (and none on phone speaker /playing media aloud).
Surprisingly pleasant for a contract lounge at a ST hub.

Check-in was at "1A", a new/temp overflow area. A long queue for the I2 counter and no biz/OW priority pillars/counter, had to ask and 'jump'.
Security entrance was within 1A and no wait to enter through fast track and done screening in 5min. And another 5 min brisk walking to get to the Aspire lounge.