Tom Waits has released a new spoken-word track called "The Fly", marking his second new release of 2026 after a fallow period of nearly 15 years without original music. The song, dedicated to the household pest, was co-written with his wife Kathleen Brennan and accompanied by a lyric video animated by their son, Casey, making it a family collaboration.

"The Fly" will serve as the B-side to "Boots on the Ground", a protest song Waits released earlier this year with Massive Attack, which had been his first new music since 2011's Bad as Me. Both tracks will feature on a benefit 12" vinyl due out on 4 September, with proceeds supporting civil rights and community advocacy organisations. Waits has also recently contributed to a tribute compilation for the late Shane McGowan and stars in Martin McDonagh's forthcoming film Wild Horse Nine, alongside John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi and Parker Posey, out on 6 November.