Teenage Engineering, the innovative Stockholm-based electronics company known for its offbeat design ethos, has unveiled a whimsical fusion of craftsmanship and technology called The Choir. These beechwood figurines, carved into globally inspired characters, are more than just decorative. Each one is equipped with an internal speaker and a unique digital voice, offering a surreal blend of music, art, and performance. With eight characters in total, The Choir showcases an imaginative take on sound systems — transforming them into something almost alive.
Each member of The Choir boasts a distinct personality and vocal range, contributing to a harmonious mix of mechanical precision and human warmth. Linked together via Bluetooth Low Energy, these wooden singers can perform synchronized melodies for up to four hours. Whether performing preloaded compositions or custom arrangements played through a MIDI keyboard, their sound walks a sonic tightrope between artificial and organic. There’s a sweetness to their voices, yet something uncanny too — like a lullaby from a distant dimension.
The surreal charm of The Choir recently found its way into a major cinematic project. Composer Rob Simonsen, known for his emotionally resonant film scores, chose these robotic singers to help craft the soundscape of Elio, the upcoming Disney and Pixar space-themed adventure. Seeking something that felt both human and extraterrestrial, Simonsen was drawn to the Choir’s peculiar audio signature. Their voices offered the emotive resonance he wanted, without relying on the familiar tones of a traditional orchestra. The result is a layered, spectral sound that supports the film’s interstellar themes.
In a music technology world often dominated by sleek plastic and sterile minimalism, The Choir stands apart. Their handcrafted beechwood bodies suggest a more analog soul, even as their voices are shaped by digital engineering. Each doll is available individually for $249, or as a full set of eight for $1,992. Teenage Engineering continues to blur the line between object and instrument, pushing sound design into poetic territory that feels both nostalgic and futuristic.
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