Chinese electronic act FM3 decided to forego the music format wars and create their own all-in-one “album” and playback device. Their transistor radio sized Buddha Machine is programmed with nine serene ambient loops, which can be changed via a simple switch. The brightly colored plastic shell (of which there are several variations) is pleasingly tactile, and the lo-fi mono speaker is surprisingly soothing. There is just enough variety in the minimal audio atmospheres to find the perfect chill-out zone depending on mood and environment. The semi-musical drones are like audio Xanax, enhancing relaxation or repetitive mindless tasks. It’s a completely functional conceptual art piece, both affordable and portable. The idea is so simple and zen, I imagine the hardest part was deciding how many complexities to strip out of the tones and design.

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