[2] Songwriting began with a text message thread to the band's lighting director Dora (namesake of the album) and continued collaboratively with other members of Eels.

[9] Daniel Dylan Wray of Uncut gave the album a six out of 10, writing that there are moments of real beauty but the songs are too similar to one another and that "might be comfort via familiarity for some" but "lacking evolution for others".

[14] David Cheal of Financial Times calls the album "moving and richly textured" for its emotional honesty, with a range from weariness to joy; his review is four out of five stars.

[15] For American Songwriter, Hal Horowitz gave Earth to Dora four out of five stars for being "another emotionally edgy chapter to [E's] artistic and spiritual journey that existing fans will appreciate".

[16] The editorial staff of AllMusic Guide gave this release 3.5 out of five stars, with reviewer Mark Deming praising the range of emotions in the lyrics and summing up the work as "well-written and imaginatively produced pop for grown-ups".