Back to whether (or rather when) there'll bea new album.
If PRIVATEERING sells less well in North America once released (because those who want it have already imported it), then maybe Universal will ask for "new product" to put on the market there earlier than we might expect in the normal circumstances.
Actually, I would think not because I'd guess that MK and PCM will have been wise enough to forestall that kind of record company pressure within the contract.
On the other hand, who knows? Maybe part of getting the deal was first to release PRIVATEERING there and to tour behind it in North America but then to produce a follow-up album within a given period, possibly a shorter period than is the "norm" with Mark. Only those involved on both sides and their lawyers and accountants will know but, if it happens this way or anything close to this way, then I would not be surprised to learn subsequently that this had all been sorted out in the negotiations for this recording contract.
Slight change of subject:
Has there been any indication of who now owns the rights to the material that the preevious record company released in the past? Could they, for example, release a compilation album without MK's agreement (or involvement)? Or have the rights all reverted to MK?
Again, I assume the latter but, then, you never can tell. Does anyone know the answer for certain?