Marshmello, One Thing Right | Track Review

Marshmello, continuing to be ambitious, collaborates with country musician Kane Brown on single “One Thing Right” with respectable results.

“I’ve been at the wrong place at the wrong time / Chasin’ all the wrong things most of my life…/ But I’ve got one thing right, you.”  Fair enough Kane Brown.  But let’s start with the ‘lead artist,’ Marshmello, who collaborates with a number of different musicians.  That’s kind of the modus operandi when it comes to dance and electronic music.  That said, some collaborations naturally raise eyebrows.  More often than not, we don’t associate dance and country music together, period. Sure, Zedd and Grey made it work out with Maren Morris on the Grammy-nominated “The Middle”, though Morris wasn’t particularly ‘country’ on that record.  Furthermore, “The Middle” had its fair share of ‘haters.’ Here, Marshmello taps Brown for “One Thing Right” and the country musician doesn’t opt for pop… sort of… The results are okay…

So, with the genre-bending that occurs with electronic music, what is the best way to examine and breakdown “One Thing Right?” This is a pop record, period. Sure, Kane Brown stays true to himself on “One Thing Right” for the most part, incorporating that country lyricism, themes, twang, and his robust tone, but it’s a countrified within the umbrella of pop. Marshmello ensures that elements of country music are integrated within the production (banjos, guitars, and such), but again, the mindset is pop radio with a hope that country radio might spin it a couple of times.

Final Thoughts

As stated in the opening paragraph, “One Thing Right” results in an ‘okay’ record.  It just doesn’t quite approach greatness, missing that ‘next-level gear’ or something to propel it towards transcendent status. Yes, Brown sings well, and the production works fine. The songwriting won’t change your life, even if marriage has changed Brown’s and Marshmello collaborates with a country musician for the first time.  It has hit potential, but at best, it’s merely okay.

Marshmello • One Thing Right (Ft. Kane Brown) [Single] • Joytime Collective / Sony • Release: 6.21.19

Photo Credits: Joytime Collective / Sony