From markknopfler.com:
Down The Road Wherever, Mark Knopfler's ninth solo studio album, is released on November 16, 2018. The album was created at Knopfler's own West London recording studio, British Grove Studios. The legendary artist has worked with long-time producer collaborator Guy Fletcher on the follow-up to his 2015 album Tracker.
The album stays true to the folk and roots-inflected ambience of his solo material, but introduces new elements of jazz, funk and even a hint of the rockier leanings of earlier days. (Emphasis mine.)
What did Guy Fletcher say? "Slight diversion"? So, we're looking at more of the same with some new elements. I will temper my expectations, then.