Nobody could accuse Toronto’s Michael Rault of lacking a worth ethic — he recorded all of the instruments on his newest single, “Nothing Means Nothing,” and its B-side, “Still Not Sad,” by himself — but that doesn’t mean the singer/songwriter can’t embrace a slacker-pop sound. On “Nothing,” the Burger Records signee dabbles in neo-psychedelia through ambling guitar twangs and hazy, bittersweet vocals. “Everytime I try / I just can’t seem to get by,” Rault croons dejectedly, the despair of his vocals standing in stark contrast to the sweetness of his background guitar strums.
Stream “Nothing Means Nothing” and the more upbeat, flanger-laden “Still Not Sad” below, and keep a look out for his upcoming LP next year.