By: Al Ballesteros
Songwriter Joey Amato will release his debut album, Up All Night, a groundbreaking project that blends heartfelt lyricism with cutting-edge technology. Every song on the record features original lyrics written entirely by Joey, brought to life using AI-powered music platforms, which provided the instrumental arrangements and vocal recordings for the songs.
The project showcases Joey’s ability to craft deeply personal and relatable stories through lyrics, while embracing the possibilities of artificial intelligence to explore new sonic landscapes. By pairing his lyrical talent with AI-generated music and vocals, he delivers a debut unlike any other—merging human emotion with technological innovation. “My goal with this project is to inspire and connect with audiences through a unique fusion of human storytelling and artificial intelligence, redefining how music is created, experienced, and shared. By pioneering this new era of artistry, I aim to make technology a tool that amplifies creativity and opens doors to limitless musical possibilities.”
Up All Night spans a variety of genres, reflecting Joey’s diverse influences and passion for authentic storytelling. From introspective ballads such as “I’m Fine” and “Would You Still Love Me?” to upbeat dance anthems like the lead single “Wedding Day”, each track offers listeners a unique glimpse into his creative mind, while also sparking a broader conversation about the role of AI in the future of art.
“As a songwriter, one of the biggest obstacles is getting artists to record your music. The landscape is extremely competitive, but AI has provided the opportunity for me to bring my visions to life by making them accessible on multiple music platforms for artists to discover. I don’t see myself performing these songs regularly, so I encourage artists to re-record these songs and make them their own.” Joey plans on releasing new music every few months, taking on various genres and styles.
Adelante: Do you have a favorite song / track on the album? If so, which one and why?
Joey: Wow, this is a hard question. I am going to say the “You Can Go Now” would be my favorite song just because it was the first song I wrote after my 20-year hiatus. I wrote the song after watching Diane Warren’s documentary. She is one of the best songwriters in the world. I would love to meet her one day for coffee. I’m sure she has some great stories to share.
Adelante: You can go now felt sad to listen to. Was that song written about her cat?
Joey: The song was written about Diane Warren’s cat. There is a scene in the documentary where her cat passes away. That song was inspired by her cat.
Adelante: How long have you been working on this album?
Joey: Honestly, I started writing songs in July of this year, so it really hasn’t been a long time especially when you compare it to major record artists. Sometimes they finish an album 6 months or more before it’s released to the public.
Adelante: Many of the songs seem to have very personal lyrics. Are these taken from your own experiences and from things you’ve seen and /or done? For instance, “You don’t know I love you” seems very personal. What was that derived from?
Joey: A lot of my songs are personal. But I also use other sources for inspiration, whether it’s a movie, book, current events or a story I heard about someone else in my life. “You Don’t Know I Love You” actually is not about something personal to me, but I am sure many people can relate to this story. Everyone has had a crush at some point in their lives. One song that is really personal to me is “There’s Nothing Wrong With Me”. I spent many years trying to fit in – even within the LGTBQ community and for whatever reason sometimes people just don’t like me or I don’t meet their criteria. This song is about saying to yourself, ‘I am who am I’ and I’m not going to change for anyone…and there’s nothing wrong with it.
Adelante: You say this album represents a type of evolution in music. Why is this?
Joey: AI is a bit of a contentious topic. Many musicians are not embracing the technology…and rightfully so. It takes a while for any new technology in music to be understood and embraced. Think about when synthesizers and drum machines came out…yes, I am that old to remember that. Hard core musicians hated this technology, but they, we evolved and adapted to it. Same thing with autotune. Then Cher released “Believe” and it changed the world.
Adelante: You say it’s your goal to see other artists record, sing and produce your songs as their own. Are there any specific artists you can envision singing which songs?
Joey: I would love any artist to use my songs. I don’t really have a wish list. I really enjoy what Benson Boone is doing as well as Sabrina Carpenter. I am not sure if they are open to outside lyricists, but I would love to work with them. I wrote a song called “Coffee House” which would be a great follow up to Sabrina’s “Espresso”.
Adelante: Would you envision any of the songs performed by female artists?
Joey: Yes, as I mentioned above, I have recorded some songs with a female voice. In addition to “Coffee House”, I have another song called “The Summer I Turned Pretty”….it’s a bop!
Adelante: Do you write lyrics for the beat or music, or do you choose the music and then write the lyrics?
Joey: I always write the lyrics first. Most of the time I have a hook in my head or a word or line. Then I build the rest of the song from there. After I have the lyrics down, I try to decide what style and genre the song should be.
Up All Night is available on Spotify and other streaming platforms. The “Wedding Day” Lyric video is now available.
Visit www.joeyamato.com.
Track listing: Up All Night
1- Addicted
2- Up All Night
3- Would You Still Love Me?
4- IYKYK
5- Reminisce
6- Better Than a Memory
7- I’m Fine
8- There’s Nothing Wrong with Me
9- Romeo & Juliet
10- You Can Go Now
11- When I See You Tonight
12- You Don’t Know I Love You
13- Wedding Day
Song Anecdotes
You Can Go Now – I hadn’t written a song in over 20 years until I watched Diane Warren’s documentary Relentless. There is a scene where her cat was dying, and she says to the cat “you can let go now” or something along those lines. The next day I wrote “You Can Go Now”. I credit Diane Warren – one of the best songwriters of all time – for helping reignite my passion for songwriting.
I’m Fine – This song is for those struggling with anxiety, depression or inner demons. I found myself and others saying ‘I’m fine’ to mask their challenges. I really hope this song helps those struggling to be open and honest and ask for help when needed.
Wedding Day – I wrote wedding day as an alternative first dance song for those who aren’t a fan of slow dancing. “Wedding Day” is a song that you can invite everyone to the dancefloor to sing and dance to.
There’s Nothing Wrong with Me – There are so many pressures in society today. Many people feel like the world is against them and that society highlights their flaws. In reality, it’s ok to just be yourself. Like Kesha said, we are who we are…and there’s nothing wrong with that!
You Don’t Know I Love You – This is the ultimate ballad about someone having a crush on another person but too afraid to tell them. I can see a boyband covering this song…when does the next Backstreet Boys album come out?
Joey Amato began his career in the music industry at the legendary Tower Records, where his passion for music and entertainment first took root. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degrees in Music Business from Five Towns College in New York, setting the stage for a dynamic and diverse career. While in school, Joey secured a competitive internship at Sony Music in New York City, gaining valuable insight into the inner workings of a major label.
Following graduation, Joey moved to Orlando to earn his MBA at Rollins College and work for Trans Continental Records during the height of the boy band era, deepening his experience in artist development and label operations. His career soon shifted toward public relations, where he began working with a roster of renowned musicians and artists, including Rick Allen of Def Leppard, Paul Stanley of KISS, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and iconic pop artist Peter Max.
Joey’s talents in media relations and strategic storytelling brought him to Nashville, where he joined a high-profile PR firm representing some of music’s most celebrated names—Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny G, Don McLean, KC & The Sunshine Band, and country legends like Lorrie Morgan, Tanya Tucker, and many others.