Plain and simple:
Is a vertical playlist menu totally out of the question for a future release? There are many convincing arguments for it, and I've seen what appears to be a deliberate effort to avoid commenting publicly on this request. That could mean it's under development and it's a surprise feature, or it could mean that the team has decided it's not negotiable and will not be considered. Which is it?
I've about a 3:1 ratio of people who favor vertical to those who think the current horizontal is better. Now I know this isn't a democracy, and we're counting on your copious spare time to make the software better, but can we at least hear a "yes, no, maybe" on this request? If it's totally not negotiable then we can save our effort in discussing it... If it's under consideration then I'd like to hear something to that effect.