Following a string of tasteful, but sometimes bloodless collaborations with Sophie Van Otter, Bill Frisell and the London Symphony Orchestra, Elvis Costello delivers his most visceral and satisfying CD in years, with “When I Was Cruel.”

Reunited with half of The Attractions, Pete Thomas and Steve Nieve, Costello sticks relatively close to the sharp new-wave melodies that sealed his reputation in the late ‘70s and ‘80s, but infuses them with powerful sonic touches: a hypnotic loop of Italian pop singer Mina that carries the title track, the melodica that casts an eerie glow over “Soul for Hire,” and the frenetic, klezmer-inspired horns that drive “15 Petals.”

Costello’s guitar frequently is drenched in tremolo, and his lyrical wit hasn’t been this consistently spiky and unforced since “Blood & Chocolate.”

The opening track takes a funny and original look at the old 45-rpm singles. It’s a bit nostalgic, but can be appreciated for its tastefulness.

Costello uses the theme of dust on two tracks, “Dust 2 …” and “… Dust.” Costello uses the concept masterfully, not overdoing it, trying to make his own “Sgt. Pepper.”

The overall sound of the album almost is like a garage band in nature. The music seems raw and unfinished, something Costello hasn’t done in a long time.

“Tart” is a beautifully real track talking about the flavor of life while “Tear Off Your Own Head” is an interesting and clever way of calling for change in the world.

Compared to some of his more uptown adventures, “When I Was Cruel” may initially seem like a kind of semi-nostalgic slumming, but the opposite may be the case. Like Woody Allen, Costello is at his most artful when he produces perfect pop trifles that will almost certainly outlast his more self-conscious “serious” work.