Tom Waits has released “The Fly”, a new spoken-word track issued as the B-side to his recent collaboration with Massive Attack, “Boots on the Ground”. The release marks another rare new recording from Waits, whose collaboration with Massive Attack earlier this year was his first in eight years, and pairs his distinctive delivery with a reflection on humanity’s failures and flies.

Waits said the song was inspired by his reluctant admiration for the insect’s short, overlooked life, describing human “fiascos” as a feast for flies. “The Fly” is available to stream now and will feature on an EcoSonic 12-inch vinyl release with “Boots on the Ground” on 4 September; proceeds will support civil-rights and community-advocacy organisations.