Over the last few years, this blog has become a very big fan of Johnny Franchino. He is a Milwaukee-area artist who really goes against the grain of most popular trends around here. When one thinks of Milwaukee, they typically think of certain types of emphatic Hip Hop music. Although Johnny Franchino does incorporate Hip Hop into his sound, he does not really mesh with the way the sound is typically known for around here. Instead of delving into Low End or Slap music, Johnny Franchino incorporates Electronic music into his sound. In fact, Electronic music is sort of the basis for his music in general. He does also dabble in Trap music and he does have a band he is a part of a band that makes Pop-Rock. Most of his solo music, though, does stem from various retro forms of Dance music. Three years ago, Johnny Franchino created his signature AESTHETIX music series. This music series has become very popular locally and in the underground Dance, scene, and it has garnered him many awards. He has released several singles in the AESTHETIX series; he is very prolific, and it always improving on and expanding his sound. In 2026 alone, he has dropped ten tracks. Below. I wanted to highlight three of the most recent AESTHETIX releases. Please let me know in the comments below what you think of Johnny Franchino and the AESTHETIX music series!
MOONLIGHT
As I mentioned above, a love of Johnny Franchino’s releases in this series feels inspired by 1990s Electronic music. ‘Moonlight’ actually varies from that 1990s element. ‘Moonlight’ feels very fresh. It has a sound that is modern and unique. This track has more of a Brazilian House music sound that is super cool. The melody for this song is dark and melancholy. It is driven by a groovy piano riff that is complemented by some synths that come in and out and vary in intensity throughout the track. The drums on this one are unique. As I said, they have a bit of a Brazilian House tempo. They are very intricate and give the song so much texture. Johnny Franchino sings with a low and sultry tone on this track that adds so much texture to the track. I love how his tone sits on this melody ‘Moonlight’ shows a calmer side to Johnny Franchino’s House music tendencies, and I am here for it!
SHE WANNA
‘She Wanna’ is another song that actually goes against a lot of what has been popular in Johnny Franchino’s AESTHETIX music as far as that 1990s theme goes. Of course, it has an upbeat and fun Electronic sound to it. Like the previous track, there is a bit of a Latin Electronic feeling to the drums on this track. The melody for ‘She Wanna’ is very bold and dark. The melody has a feeling that would make anyone feel alive in the night. It has a bit of a glitchy sound to it at times, which gives it texture. I love the primal energy of the drums on this track. The way the drums pound makes this song larger than life. Johnny Franchino sings with a low and gritty tone on the hook and raps with fervor on the verses. He matches the energy of the instrumental so well. ‘She Wanna’ is a club banger that could get any function jumping for sure.
PAINFUL
Johnny Franchino goes back to the AESTHETIX roots a bit with the song ‘Painful.’ This song has more of the retro House-style instrumentation that most of this series has featured over the years. The melody fo this song has a Disco theme that is so funky. The piano riff that drives this one is so damn groovy, and the synths complement give the song a twinkling and full feeling. The drums are the kind of old-school Disco-Trance sound that can get any dance floor popping. This beat is the kind that is impossible not to want to move to when it comes on(as I sit here typing, in fact, I really want to get up and get down). The vocals on ‘Painful’ are very cool. The tone in which Johnny Franchino sings gives the song depth, and the high-pitched vocal sample that complements it gives it life. I love a good Electronic Disco jam, and ‘Painful’ scratches that itch.