[1] It was produced by André 3000 and Carlos Niño and features instrumental contributions by an ensemble, including André 3000 (flutes), Niño (percussion), Nate Mercereau (guitars), Deantoni Parks (drums), V.C.R (violin), Surya Botofasina and Diego Gaeta (keyboards), Matthewdavid (mycelial electronics), Jesse Peterson (multi-instruments), and Mia Doi Todd (vocals).

[5] Ahead of New Blue Sun's announcement, fellow rapper Killer Mike teased an impending release by André 3000.

[22] Clash's Robin Murray called it "relaxing, occasionally absorbing, and often explicitly beautiful" and an album that "hinges on André's love for melody and his questing spirit".

[16] Fred Thomas of AllMusic wrote that "if you can get past the premise (and overlook the goofy song titles, most of which are too long and silly to dignify here) and tune in to New Blue Sun as an album of contemplative healing sounds, it's pleasant and sometimes even sublime".

and wrote that it "feels like music from the time when your record shop had a 'New Age' section", calling its songs "long, and peaceful, and deliberately unfocused".