Brand New Vinyl Static and Pops

Why are you bothering with vinyl in the first place? Even hipsters have dumped their turntables. If you want 'Cool Retro' gear just get a Reel to Reel and end your aggravation. 

New records do not have the same quality control as those we purchased in the 70s,80s, and 90s. As a starting point, I'd clean every new record if you have a cleaner. If not an anti-static brush is a minimum. Lot's of ways to clean stylus. My preferred method to clean my stylus is to use drummers 'Moon Gel' dampening pads. There is a product marketed to turntable owners but is 10x the price for effectively the same goo [I've tried both]

How are you cleaning the records? Something is not right, or you're doing something wrong.

Muffled again after cleaning a record.

I use the Zerostat gun. Newer version available on Amazon. 

audio_is_subjective64 what do your 1st 2 answers have to do with the posters question?