Bay Area post-hardcore band DROUGHT have released Souvenir, their emotionally charged debut full-length, out now via Iodine Recordings. Formed in 2022, the band—Viggy Ram (vocals), Eric Nakano and RJ Rabe (guitars), and Ray Avila (drums)—quickly built a following with their raw live shows and a gripping early EP. With Souvenir, they deliver on that early promise in full.
Recorded live to tape with Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Gouge Away) at The Atomic Garden, Souvenir is anything but a typical debut. Across 13 tracks, the album weaves together post-hardcore, emo, and spoken word, with lyrics that explore grief, memory, self-erasure, and survival. The sound is urgent but spacious, emotionally dense without ever losing momentum.
Standouts include the slow-burning opener “An Invitation,” the fierce “Abattoir,” and the layered intensity of “We’re the Flora,” featuring Patrick Flynn (Fiddlehead, Have Heart). Guest vocals from Eric Butler (Mom Jeans) and Alex Rudenshiold (Infant Island) add even more emotional weight, making Souvenir feel like a conversation as much as a document.
Released through the revitalized Iodine Recordings, Souvenir is a debut that sounds like anything but. It’s confident, fully realized, and a clear statement of intent. For fans of emotionally driven hardcore with purpose and depth, DROUGHT is a name to remember.
An Invitation
