The Baby Genius herself has blessed us with her fully self-produced debut album. It has been such a joy to watch the world fall in love with Laila!’s sound and her personality. Having just turned 18 years old, Laila! is a child of early 2000s/2010s hip-hop and R&B and does a great job of channeling her influences while giving us a sound that’s fresh. Songs like “Want 2” sound like a whimsical and futuristic blend of Pharrell drums and Tyler, the Creator synths while songs like “Could Be” showcase Laila!’s raw and passionate vocals. Her style is dreamy, silly, and adventurous. She experiments with different song structures and isn’t afraid to color outside the lines. Listening to Gap Year! feels like watching the birth of a star, knowing one day she will become the sun and light up the entire galaxy.