Contributing Writer
Mexican DJ and producer Lex Valverde enters 2026 with a renewed sense of authorship, retiring the Better Than Lex alias in favour of his real last name. The shift signals a more direct and personal chapter, bringing the artist closer to the music while carrying forward the club-tested foundations that have shaped his trajectory so far.
After five formative years based in Germany, Lex Valverde sharpened his understanding of European club culture from the inside. Now based in Amsterdam, his schedule has since taken him from leading venues in Mexico to floors across Europe and Japan, sharing lineups with artists such as Charlotte de Witte, Amelie Lens and KI/KI.
With his new single Takatal out now on Alleanza, we asked him to put together this an exclusive playlist. Classics ahead!
Lex Valverde – 10 Tracks that made me fall in love with Electronic Music
Andain – Beautiful Things (Gabriel & Dresden’s Unplugged Mix)
My first time going to an only electronic music nigh was with Tiesto in Palladium, back at my hometown Acapulco. Just imagine the club was in the top of a hill with a huge front window where you could see the Acapulco bay, at 4am Tiesto dropping this song, while outside of the window a waterfall of fireworks was activated. It was pure magic, that night changed everything for me, I got introduced to Electronic Music and I felt in love with trance.
Richard Grey & Erick Morillo – Life Goes On (Richard Grey 2008 Mix)
Trance made me love Electronic Music, but House made me want to become a DJ. In the year 2008 I saw Erick Morillo in that same club Palladium. His sets were mesmerizing, and listening live to Life Goes On was a pivotal moment in my life, that made me wanted to become a DJ, the morning after I downloaded Virtual DJ and the rest is history.
David Tort – Lost in Acid (Ausfahrt Mix)
I was so used to music with a lot of vocals, coming from Pop and Rock, this is the first track I remember that completely captivated me with just one word, I didn’t need more, a master piece from David Tort.
Mark Knight & Funkagenda – Man With The Red Face
My first vinyl, I used to listen to this together with my Dad while talking about my dreams of becoming a DJ and making music like this, it’s a track very close to my heart
Jerry Ropero, Denis The Menace, Sabor – Coracao feat. Jaqueline
A classic, and one of the first electronic music songs I heard with a latin vibe, it felt warm familiar in the best possible way.
Avicii – Levels
This track took the scene to a different level (no pun intended) and I had the honor to open up for Avicii back in 2011 listening to this track live right before it became a world phenomenon.
Swedish House Mafia ft. John Martin – Don’t You Worry Child
This track came out a bit after my Dad passed away, I couldn’t listen to this song without getting tears in my eyes, it will forever has a special place in my heart.
Kölsch – LORELEY
A masterpiece, I can listen to this track non-stop and I don’t grow tired, The way the track evolves and tells a story without words, pure genius from Rune.
Danny Avila – Chase The Sun (VIP)
I love this record in general, but beyond the record, this track made me believe in re-invention, seeing how Danny forged his own path and transition from his EDM project to his Techno side and become even more successful is so inspirational, and this was the first track I heard from Danny on his new style.
Better Than Lex – Believe In The Music
And of course I have to close with Believe In The Music, my first track that got artist support from the likes of Fedde Le Grand and Illyus Barrientos. It got me radio placement, media features, and my first gig in ADE. This track means more than love for the music to me, it also made me believe in me as an artist in a time of doubt, it will have forever a place in my heart.