Joseph Crime’s new single, Higher, is a pulsating, floor-filling statement of intent from one of progressive house’s most promising names. Fresh off the back of June’s It All Ends, the Beirut-born, Montreal-based producer returns with a track that’s equal parts euphoria and precision — the kind of release that doesn’t just belong on late-night playlists, but also on the main stage of the world’s most revered festivals.
Teaming up with Iobono, Higher thrives on synergy. Sweeping sequencers and reverb-laden vocals envelop a four-to-the-floor groove that builds steadily, releasing into bursts of pure ecstasy. It’s layered, meticulous, and spacious — a sonic architecture that not only showcases Crime’s progressive instincts but also leaves room for Iobono’s vocals to stretch and breathe. The result is a track that’s hypnotic yet deeply human, the kind of song that bridges introspection and collective euphoria.
For Crime, the song’s title is more than just a mood — it’s a mantra. As he explains, Higher reflects his pursuit of a pinnacle state, where artistic clarity outweighs uncertainty. That mindset runs through every bar, every synth swell, and every vocal echo. “I chose the title Higher because it represents the pinnacle I strive for: a state where I’m untouched by life’s uncertainties, fully focused on my craft, and determined to succeed. I kept that mindset in mind throughout the production, especially when I left intentional space for the vocals and lyrics to breathe.”
Crime’s journey — from classical piano lessons as a child to signing with Nora En Pure’s Purified label, racking up 400k streams on Falling Leaves with Matt Leger, and gracing Piknic Electronik alongside Rezident, Einmusik, and Nora En Pure — has prepared him for this moment. With Higher, he takes another stride forward, proving himself a master at translating emotion into rhythm.
This is Joseph Crime at his most assured — euphoric, progressive, and ready to ascend
