[2][3] The album received generally positive critical response, while it narrowly entered the Billboard 200 at number 179.

B.o.B signed to Atlantic Records in 2008 and would go on to release his major-label debut, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, with the label in 2010.

Having released multiple projects with Atlantic, including three extended plays (EPs), three studio albums and a retail mixtape, the two sides separated soon after B.o.B claimed that the label was "suppressing" him.

[12] On April 5, B.o.B unveiled the cover art for a project titled Ether,[13] which prompted a fan to ask "is this the album or the fifth element," to which B.o.B responded "both".

[16] In May 2017, in an interview with B-Real of Cypress Hill, B.o.B spoke on the thought process when creating Ether, not forcing his beliefs on fans, and why the album is a less conscious project than the rest of the Elements series: "some of it's fun, [some of it is to make you think], but even if it's to make you think, it's still just good music.

[17] In an interview with Fuse, B.o.B revealed he had plans to record his Elements series dating back to since before he released his debut album in 2010, adding his first album "was all about the elements", citing its cover art, which includes earth, water, fire and air in the artwork.

A lot of the Eastern traditions and beliefs recognize ch'i, the energy that you can't see.

"[19] It was revealed in an interview that the album's fourth track "Peace Piece", featuring vocals and production from Big K.R.I.T., was originally given to T.I.

[20] In an interview with Fuse, B.o.B said he produced about half of the album, adding "Jacque Beatz and 30 Roc did a lot of production.

Truth is, that the music here doesn't stray too far from what he was creating during his chart topping days and what's really changed is the public's perception of him, unfortunately.

[36] DJBooth.net editor Yoh, wrote "Ether is well-rounded, not weighed down by overthinking and theory deductions, but an artist revealing internal conflict and external circumstances.

B.o.B may have lost his footing along the way, but Ether is a step in the right direction and an admirable effort that proves he's still one of the more talented artists out of the South.