So I don't visit my Facebook feed often but just happened to peruse it today and saw this:

We can now officially announce that Steven has signed a worldwide record deal with Caroline International, part of the Universal Music Group, joining a roster that includes Peter Gabriel, Thurston Moore, Iggy Pop, Van Morrison, Glass Animals and Underworld among others.

SW: “I’m absolutely delighted to be entering into partnership with Michael Roe and his team at Caroline for my next album. Although Caroline exist within the Universal Music Group, their philosophy allows me to remain creatively independent, while at the same time providing the “muscle” that being with a major organisation brings. This makes it a perfect home for me, and I’m happy to now be label mates with some of the most respected musicians in the industry.”

Michael Roe, Joint Managing Director of Caroline International: “I’ve been a fan of Steven’s recorded and production work for many years. He’s an incredible talent with a big and dedicated fanbase but someone who has not received the wider recognition I think he deserves. I’m thrilled he’s chosen Caroline as a home.”

The follow up to 2015’s Hand. Cannot. Erase. will be released later this year, more news coming soon.
There's a lot of wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth in the Facebook comments, but I'm not surprised at all. In recent interviews SW's been pretty open that his one frustration is not being able to reach the numbers of people he'd like, plus putting his music on Spotify signals that he's being realistic about how today's music distribution channels work.

It's a one album deal, so it'll be interesting if he continues down a more commercial path as some have speculated. I also wonder if he's letting Caroline license his back catalog which means reissues could be coming. There's even a chance this could lead to PTree reissues I suppose.

Anyways, I say congrats Steven. Hope. This. Works.