Rip It Up - “Serving up a stella show at The Spiegeltent”

“Emily Smart & The Clever Girls were terrific, dishing up a wealth of material, cleverly fusing both melody and ideas for a very appreciative audience. Smart’s voice is pure gold and her new single, You And I is a brilliant piece, so easy to lose yourself within, making it impossible for many to leave without buying the CD! Final Word: Awesome.”
Rip It Up, 2010 - The Spiegeltent Show Review

The Manly Daily - "Emily's smart escape plan"

"Adelaide singer/songwriter Emily Smart said she was right at home doing acoustic stuff or rocking with a band. 'I enjoy both,' she said. 'They both have their qualities'. She will be in pop/acoustic mode when she takes to the stage at Henry Afrikas on Sunday November 25."
November 16 2007

Mercury - "Emily plays it Smart"

"Highlighting Smart's striking and emotive voice, The Escape Plan combines pop melodies with exciting rhythms, interesting quirks and a hint of folk, while Smart's lyrics - which she describes as "delicate, colourful poetry" - communicate fragility, joy, interpersonal conflict, resilience and hope."
July 26 2007

The Messenger - "Smart career move"

"Actor/musician Emily Smart harbours no ambitions to be the next Delta Goodrem or Kylie Minogue. 'But funnily enough, I'm a bit of a fan of Neighbours.'... If asked, she would probably prefer Australia's longest running soap over a theatrical musical, but she would definately have to be Ramsay St's 'rock chick'"
July 26 2007

The Advertiser - "Smart girl makes a clever move"

"Young Glenelg singer/songwriter Emily Smart put out her debut solo EP The Escape Plan earlier this year. Winning praise from music fans on Triple J's Unearthed website, Smart has recruited a band - the Clever Girls - to give some extra weight to her live sound.."
Danielle O'Donohue - July 26 2007

The Buzz Magazine - 'Emily Smart to Tour Tasmania'

"South Australian girl Emily Smart will be returning to Tasmania from August 2nd to August 6th to showcase the new six track CD 'The Escape Plan'. Although Emily has toured with her band this will be her first journey into solo acoustic performance and audiences should expect the same personal journey they experienced with her last visit..."
P. Sutton - July 2007

Escape with Emily Smart

"Emily Smart isn’t as well known as Missy Higgins or Fiona Apple but on the evidence of her debut EP The Escape Plan she will be. A talented songwriter with a social conscience, Smart writes with attitude, with a certain edge, with her heart on her sleeve and her voice is authentic. Hers is a golden voice that deserves to be heard.

Her eventual success will be based on nothing more and nothing less than sheer musical talent.

All six tracks on The Escape Plan are relaxed but steeped in emotion. Smart builds her songs around smooth acoustic guitar, a voice that’s built for intimacy and straightforward tunes. It may sound simple, but it’s not. Cleverly steering clear of histrionics and synthetics, Smart modestly delivers a mature, deftly fashioned, collection of compositions. She plays bass, mandolin and keyboards with the same assurance as her chosen instrument, and uses Isabella Fyfe on cello and Shaun Doddy and Sean Kemp on drums to add additional flavour.

Romantically melancholy, pure and honest, Smart’s songs hauntingly flow in and out of light and shade, and pieces like Italy are as richly warm as a hot Tuscan evening and enrich the soul.

As emotionally volatile and as inherently fragile as a love letter, The Escape Plan is an engaging debut from a beautiful, original and compelling new talent who has the world at her feet. In a perfect world this EP would go straight to the top of the charts and stay there for months."

Independent Weekly - 2007

The Escape Plan Review

What is The Escape Plan I hear you ask? Trust in Emily Smart - she has the answer. While everyone seems in a hurry, driven by time, lacking patience and so forth, Emily will take you on a musical journey that challenges you to slow down, take a deep breath and live every moment with the sheer enthusiasm of being alive.

Known in SA as part of the female-fronted gutsy rock trio Illicit Eve, Emily's solo debut takes a more laid-back (though still spirited) approach, and shows off her many talents as a musician and composer. On The Escape Plan, Emily has written, arranged and produced this EP, and plays every instrument on it except two.

While listening to the 6 well-rounded tracks of the EP, close your eyes and be prepared to drown in her emotive voice. It's as if she has pictured an array of colours and set them to music - these are songs with a message, yet delicate as a flower in spring.

The Escape Plan contains exquisitely written poetry that is simply a joyful experience to listen to. I’m thankful I’m South Australian and get to listen and experience the great talent that is Emily Smart.

Michael Mann - 20 February 2007

The Advertiser - 'Emily in for the great Escape'

"For singer/songwriter Emily Smart, life couldn't be any busier... most exciting of all - tomorrow, Emily will present a showcase of her new EP The Escape Plan at Jive..."
Leith Forrest - February 9 2007

Rip It Up - 'State of Sound'

"...'It's more of a chilled out sort of album,' said Emily, in between packing boxes while moving house. 'Quite a few of the songs I had written over the years but I couldn't use them for Illict Eve, but I had this thought in the back of my head that I'd like to use them some day..."
Charlotte Chalklen - February 8-14 2007

Rip It Up - 'Local CD Launch of the Week'

"...The Escape Plan is an acoustic indie pop outing that perfectly showcases Emily's beautifully structured songs which boast uncluttered arrangements along with some suprising little moments..."
February 8-14 2007

The Messenger - 'Emily's smart escape plan'

"...The Glenelg local's debut solo EP is The Escape Plan, a six-pack of quirky, soulful folk-pop tunes. Each song is a Smart original and, though there are similarities, the singer says these songs are quite different from her band's..."
Petra Starke - February 7 2007

dB Magazine - Interview

"I definitely will be doing a lot more touring this year. Illicit Eve will have another album so I'll be pretty busy. It's also my final year of uni, I study drama and it's my honours year but I'm going to try and fin in as much as I can..."
Ashley Prignent - February 7-20 2007

Rip It Up - 'Local Hype'

"Sat Feb 10 will prove to be an evening filled with musical fun when Emily Smart releases her debut EP The Escape Plan at Jive. Emily who is will known to Adealide audiences as the lead singer and guitarist of Illicit Eve, will exhibit her hypnotising solo work..."
Kerry Loyson - February 1-7 2007

TRIPLE J UNEARTHED REVIEWS

Moments Like These

Rating: 5/5
yeaaah.. this is a really cool laid back track, really like the beats, the ambience, the flow, the easy going vocals (I can definitely see the IMOGEN HEAP influence here).. I was already familiar with your stuff thru ILLICIT EVE, but I really wuzn't expecting this smooth triphoppish stuff.. a pleasant surprise.. niiice :)
Spoz, SuperUser
30 Aug, 2006

Rating: 5/5
This song rocks indie style. The harmonies are sweet and the music just lets you drift into the easy going flow of the rhythm... I'm so so so going to the EP launch!
Heffy
31 Jan, 2007

Rating: 5/5
A strong, beautiful and original reflective song which tells its own emotional story. Consummate playing and lovely voice what more does nayone want? This song paints a spectacular picture.
soldierblue
17 Jan, 2007

Rating: 5/5
With a chill out trip-hop feel, sweet as honey vocals and thoughtful lyrics 'Moments Like These' only further proves what I discovered the first time I saw her play with Illicit Eve...Emily Smart is a shining star, a true artist and someone who will definately be around for many years to come:)
simfan
15 Jan, 2007

Rating: 5/5
This song is an example of Emily Smart's quirky, contemplative and laid baid songwriting style coupled with electronic beats, a distinctive vocal and a memorable musical experience.
musoreview
14 Jan, 2007

Rating: 5/5
love it, right from the first words. very catchy, great vocals.
butch
21 Oct, 2006

Rating: 5/5
Love ya songs Emily, the states best female songwriter. beautiful stuff!
cracky
19 Oct, 2006

Rating: 5/5
made me cry. enough said.
Gwen
27 Aug, 2006

Rating: 5/5
awesome track can't wait to get it on a cd. Your voice puts that of an angel to shame.
davo9999
07 Sep, 2006

Rating: 5/5
This song is funky, with quirky twists and cute vocals! It rocks a panda's behind back to baghdad... Did you know a panda can eat bamboo like it's going out of fashion? Bamboo is the new black & Moments Like These is the new Bamboo!
geomada
17 Aug, 2006

Easily Broken

Rating: 5/5
Excellent delivery. Smooth, ethereal and beautifully hooked. Seductive with the knack of getting under the skin.
soldierblue
17 Jan, 2007

Rating: 5/5
I like this song more than I like air...however I find that air is more vital to my existence so if given a choice I would have to choose air. Yet the irony would be that I would resent my own existence for the choice I made. ADIEU!
geomada!
05 Jan, 2007

Rating: 5/5
This girls voice is sublime...everytime I go to see her play I sit in awe just watching and listening. Someone who oozes talent so naturally as Emily should no be left undiscovered- she plays with an ease, style and that intimate connection with a crowd that we all desire.
Mad_Hatter
25 Nov, 2006

Rating: 5/5
well you certainly got it all together. great vocal arrangement, and great acoustic guitar track. excellent. nice guitar in the background also.
butch
21 Oct, 2006

Rating: 5/5
… What can i say, This is the most beautiful piece i have ever heard you do. Your voice has come off like a top notch world class… Just hearing this song has really opened my eyes to how amazing a talent you are. The harmonies are absolutely amazing, I can't get over the song, i have played it a few times over already…
shaunicate
08 Sep, 2006

Rating: 5/5
this song always gives me goosebumps everytime i hear it
davo9999
07 Sep, 2006

Italy

Rating: 4/5
I like this one.. has a real nice contemplative and smooth vibe to it.. very soothing to my broken brain.. aaaaah :)
Spoz, SuperUser
30 Aug, 2006

Rating: 5/5
I love how this song paints beautiful pictures in your mind... faultless.
Heffy
31 Jan, 2007

Rating: 5/5
Sauted in delicious mesmerising melody and cooked in class. What a superb song. Gret songwriting and great voice, sensually intimate and marinaded in style.
soldierblue
17 Jan, 2007

Rating: 5/5
This song is an acoustic pop pleasure and a reflective journey. My favourite. I have played it over and over. Stunning vocal and gorgeous guitar. Play this Triple J. Everyone deserves to hear this quirky lovesick tale.
musoreview
14 Jan, 2007

Rating: 5/5
this song takes you away for a few minutes to a better place
davo9999
07 Sep, 2006

Rating: 5/5
I think this is your best track. Beautiful vocals and great guitar work. A very polished and dreamlike piece.
geomada
23 Oct, 2006