Tom Waits releases a new spoken-word track titled “The Fly,” which outlets describe as a B-side to his collaboration “Boots on the Ground” with Massive Attack. Rolling Stone and Consequence report that “The Fly” is available to stream alongside attention for Waits’ latest material. Rolling Stone characterizes the track in connection with Waits’ ongoing spoken-word style, noting a lyric reference that frames it as his “appreciation for the winged nuisance.” Both sources link the release timing and context of “The Fly” directly to “Boots on the Ground,” emphasizing that it accompanies that collaboration rather than standing alone as a lead single. Rolling Stone also notes that “Boots on the Ground” is Waits’ first new music since 2011, placing “The Fly” within that longer gap between releases. Overall, the coverage centers on the track’s title, format as spoken word, streaming availability, and its role as a B-side to the Massive Attack partnership.