B-Side Guys

Christopher Pappas knows something about creating alter egos. From his early days building a cult following with The Everyday Visuals in New Hampshire to his current incarnation as Elle Belle, he’s mastered the art of self-reinvention. On “Me, Timbers,” his latest collaboration with 2BAD, Pappas turns this shape-shifting tendency into subject matter.

The production seamlessly blends the eclectic influences that have marked Elle Belle’s catalog since 2016’s sprawling “WAKO GUMBO.” Having written for both NASA and off-Broadway, Pappas brings orchestral sophistication to indie rock structures, creating arrangements that feel both experimental and accessible. The collaboration with 2BAD adds new textures to Elle Belle’s already expansive sonic palette.

This exploration of “self-mythology and the art of creating your own lore” feels particularly resonant coming from an artist who’s consistently defied easy categorization. Where some musicians might treat genre-hopping as mere tourism, Pappas’s background in orchestral composition and musical theater allows him to approach each style with genuine understanding and respect.

The track serves as a perfect companion piece to its B-side “Funny Way of Showing It,” creating a dialogue between self-creation and self-dissolution. While that track grapples with impermanence, “Me, Timbers” revels in the power of personal narrative. It’s a delicate balance that few artists could maintain, but Pappas’s experience moving between identities – from rural New Hampshire songwriter to Los Angeles composer – gives him unique insight into how stories shape reality.

Following 2023’s “How Do I Feel?” album, this single suggests Elle Belle’s prolific streak shows no signs of slowing. More importantly, it demonstrates how Pappas continues to find fresh angles on identity and artistry, proving that self-mythology works best when it’s in service of genuine exploration rather than mere image-making.