Brand New Vinyl Static and Pops

It's not severe, but still there from time to time.

Also, how do you control static?

Muffled again after cleaning a record.

Does anyone think that cleaning the record introduces debris that collects on the needle?

What record cleaner are you using?

Assuming you've got the weight at 1.8g as Ortofon recommends. 

Otherwise if the red is fine, then it sounds like an internal problem with the blue. Happens sometimes.