Mabel co-wrote "One Shot" with songwriter Kelly Richardson, and producer GA at the end of 2017; they finished the song in an hour.

[2] After the release of her singles "Finders Keepers" and "Fine Line", Mabel "wanted to make another up-tempo, playful track that people could dance to.

Robin Murray of Clash magazine regarded the track as "a superb end to the summer, an instantly addictive return from a bold pop voice.

"[14] In The Independent, Jake Hall touted it as "a guaranteed hit", highlighting its "sunny" steel drums as a "sonic continuation" of "Finders Keepers".

[15] Gary Ryan of NME described it as "a fizzing Jägerbomb of a track which is basically 'Finders Keepers' with a spray-job (if it ain't broke…).

"[16] Evening Standard critic Rick Pearson viewed the song as "a showcase for her low, soulful voice, inviting comparison with Dua Lipa.