The Dark Side of the Tanning Bed by Jackie Moontan: Review

music review

26 Feb

Written By Tom T

Jackie Moontan isn’t just a musician—he’s a legend in his own orbit. Whether he actually crash-landed in a Mississippi swamp in the ‘70s, lost part of his vision staring at Elvis’ rhinestone suit in Vegas, or maybe taught James Brown the funky chicken (highly debatable), one thing is for sure: he’s been traveling this strange blue planet, writing songs about everything and everyone he encounters.

And now, he’s ready to take us all on another wild ride with his celestial funk pop debut full-length album, The Dark Side of the Tanning Bed, which landed in November 2024.

Jackie is an extraterrestrial crooner, a cosmic storyteller, and a man of impeccable satin-shirt-and-bright-colored-suit taste. His performances include smooth-talking, hip-shaking, stage-strutting madness and outrageous dance moves (sometimes resulting in actual falls off the stage).

At the heart of all the glam, kitsch, and funkadelic chaos, Jackie Moontan is a true observer of the human condition—bringing absurd, heartfelt, and irresistibly catchy stories to life through his signature blend of pop, funk, and soul.

This album is Moontan’s most ambitious project yet—a collection of offbeat, groovy, and irresistibly smooth tunes that explore the bizarre beauty of earthly existence.

His music is a love letter to the misfits, the lovers, the dreamers, and the disco-drenched night owls. It’s funky, it’s soulful, it’s sexy, and it’s filled with stories that could only be told by someone who sees the world from the outside looking in.

Expect a blend of smooth crooning, funky basslines, sultry synths, and hooks that you won’t be able to shake—all delivered with Moontan’s signature otherworldly swagger.

Jackie has a cosmic resume, having shared the stage with: Metronomy, Cat Power, Morcheeba, Toto, Flavien Berger, Altin Gün, and Jonathan Bree. He has 10 years of stage experience, performing with multiple bands and he is three EPs deep, leading up to this first full-length album.

For fans of intergalactic funk, kitschy pop, and out-of-this-world storytelling, Jackie Moontan is for you. For those who dance like nobody’s watching. For those who know that the best things in life come wrapped in satin and set to a groovy bassline.

Buckle up, Earthlings. Jackie Moontan is taking us on a trip.

The Dark Side of the Tanning Bed is available now on all major streaming platforms